US government expands COVID-19 booster eligibility ahead of holidays

pharmafile | November 25, 2021 | News story | Business Services  

The Biden administration has expanded COVID-19 booster eligibility, and millions of Americans have received their booster shots at a near record pace, according to Reuters.

However, health officials remain concerned about rising infections ahead of winter, and more people are urged to get the necessary additional protection.

Approximately 27.5 million people had received a booster shot in the US as of Tuesday 23 November, according to data from the CDC.

Advertisement

Regarding the booster uptake, Dr William Schaffner, leading infectious disease expert, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said: “I think it is a good start. I am hoping for much better. I would like to see all of that doubled very, very quickly.” Dr Schaffner added that he believed boosters are more vital for personal protection against COVID-19, than for preventing spread of the virus.

Previously, only those aged 65 and older, and those at high risk of infection due to existing health or employment conditions, were eligible for booster shots. US regulators have since expanded eligibility to all adult Americans.

Over 130 million double vaccinated adults in the US are now eligible for their booster shot, at least six months after the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two months after receiving Johnson and Johnson’s single dose vaccine.

Following a steep rise in COVID-19 cases across European countries, and the reinstatement of restrictions, the US is also preparing to see an increase. However, the country is not showing any signs of reimplementing regulations as of yet.

Lina Adams

Related Content

No items found
The Gateway to Local Adoption Series

Latest content