U.S. officials will recommend coronavirus vaccine booster shots after 8 months
The White House plans to recommend a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine eight months after completing their first vaccinations, the New York Times reported Monday evening.
Citing two Biden government officials, the Times reported that the additional doses could be offered as early as a month and that the first shots would go to health care workers and nursing home residents and then to other older Americans – much like the first Vaccinations were carried out.
The Associated Press confirmed the Times report, saying the widespread booster syringes would coincide with the formal approval of vaccines by the Food and Drug Administration, which have undergone rigorous studies but are currently administered through emergency approvals. Pfizer’s vaccine is expected to receive this approval in the coming weeks.
The booster could be officially announced later this week and reflects the belief that additional doses are needed to better protect Americans from the more contagious Delta variant of the virus, which has seen an increase in cases and hospital stays in recent weeks .
People would likely get the same type of vaccine they received when they were first vaccinated, the Times reported.
Last week, US health officials recommended booster injections for people with compromised immune systems.
For months, officials have said data suggests that after receiving two-dose Pfizer or Moderna therapy or Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine, people remain heavily protected from COVID-19, including the Delta variant are. However, U.S. health officials made it clear on Sunday that they were preparing for the possibility that the time for boosters might come sooner rather than later.
“There is concern that the vaccine may become less effective,” said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. “And Delta is an uncomfortable attempt for us to deal with it.”
The White House previously said there are enough vaccines domestically to give Americans booster shots should they be recommended by health officials.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_1]