The CDC has officially authorized Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all adults in the United States.
The shots were authorized on Friday, providing fully vaccinated Americans with an added layer of protection. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky approved the booster shots just in time for the winter season, which health officials believe will drive COVID-19 cases upward. The CDC previously authorized booster doses for all adults who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot.
In September, the FDA’s advisory panel considered recommending Pfizer’s boosters to vaccinated citizens. However, they decided against it, citing a lack of data. Instead, they recommended the booster for the elderly and those who are at high risk for COVID-19 complications.
Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s vaccine chief, confirmed that the agency now had enough data to support the use of a single booster dose.
Adults eligible for the booster should wait at least six months after receiving their last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna shoot. Those who took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, they’ll need to wait two months to get the booster.
While booster shots serve as a great way to keep the virus away, the U.S. still struggles to persuade residents to take the initial vaccine. At least 47 million Americans have not been vaccinated.
