Coronavirus booster shots have been available for immune compromised people in the US since mid August. In late September, the FDA and CDC approved Pfizer boosters for those 65 and older and people 18 and older at risk for severe covid. About a month ago, Moderna boosters were approved for that same group, and Johnson and Johnson boosters became available to everyone who received that shot. The FDA also said that mixing shots was fine and seemed to be well tolerated. On Friday afternoon, the FDA approved booster shots for everyone aged 18 and older. A few hours later, the CDC rubber stamped that. Here’s more on that from CNBC:
All adults in the U.S. are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid vaccine boosters, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the shots for the general public Friday. The move allows an extra dose of protection for tens of millions of fully vaccinated Americans as cases climb and public officials worry the nation could face another surge during the winter.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky signed off on the booster shots hours after the agency’s independent panel of vaccine scientists unanimously endorsed opening up eligibility to everyone 18 and older at least six months after they received their second dose.
The Food and Drug Administration had authorized both companies’ vaccine boosters for all U.S. adults earlier Friday.
“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster,” Walensky said in a statement Friday evening.
“Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose,” Walensky said.
The CDC also said people over the age of 50 should get booster shots, a stronger recommendation for that age group than before. The panel previously limited its strongest guidance to people over 65 and other people with high risk.
I’ve already had a Pfizer booster, which is the original two shot dose I received. While I technically wasn’t eligible, I felt OK about it because I wasn’t taking a vaccine away from anyone. I got sick with a low grade fever for about a day, but it wasn’t that bad. I still wear a mask indoors, I don’t go to parties and I rarely eat at restaurants. Now that I’m boostered I may go to events where vaccination is required, although that’s going to be on a case by case basis considering that my state just elected a Trumper governor.
Right now cases are surging in Europe and experts predict that the wave is about to come to the US. I’m happy that the boosters were approved. The people who are complaining about it lack critical reasoning skills and many are paying the price. We are getting out of this pandemic through trial and error and adjusting to the circumstances created by people who refuse to wear masks or get vaccinated. This is how science works and you can either accept reality or rail against it and see what happens.
