The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for Americans 65 and older and others who are at high risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously voted 15-0 to recommend COVID-19 booster shots for people 65 and up as well as nursing home residents. The ACIP also voted 13-2 that those who are 50-64 years old with underlying health conditions must be given access to get the vaccine booster jab.
The Committee also voted to approve the booster shots to be administered to people ages 18-49 who have underlying conditions given that they take the jabs six months after getting the first two doses, CNBC reported.
Here’s what the CDC recommends:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
- People from 50-64 years old with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot from Pfizer-BioNTech at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
- People from 18–49 years old with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, depending on their individual benefits and risks;
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for Covid-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
But members of the committee are still concerned over the lack of data supporting the booster shot for younger Americans. They said that a third shot will only provide marginal benefit. The CDC recommendation came after the FDA approved the Pfizer booster on Wednesday for seniors and those who are high-risk of contracting the virus.
The recommendation is far from what President Joe Biden initially planned – to administer booster shots to all Americans 16 and older that was supposed to begin this week. Although the CDC panel’s recommendation doesn’t give everything the Biden administration wants, the booster shots will be eligible for millions of Americans who received the Pfizer vaccine.
Also Read: FDA Approves Booster Shot Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine For Americans 65 And Older
