Booster shots, she said, would "maximize vaccine induced protection." What if I got the J&J vaccine? "We are concerned that the current strong protection against severe infection, hospitalization and death could decrease in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or who were vaccinated earlier," Walensky said. The rationale for laying the groundwork for boosters in the months ahead is to avert potential COVID-19 deaths in the future if vaccine-induced protection against serious illness wanes. Health officials were emphatic on this point.įor now, anyone who has completed the two-dose mRNA vaccine course is considered fully vaccinated with "a high degree of protection against the worst outcomes of COVID-19," Murthy said. No, anyone who is fully vaccinated is still very well protected from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. If we need boosters soon, does this mean I'm no longer safe after just two doses? to begin to roll out booster shots in September. Anthony Fauci were among other federal officials who have called for the U.S. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden's chief medical adviser, also presented recent evidence showing that a third shot of either mRNA vaccine greatly increased antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19.ĭr. However, Walensky noted that data from Israel suggests "increased risk of severe disease amongst those vaccinated early."ĭr. Importantly, the studies do not show any major increases in severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization or death among fully vaccinated people. "It is now our clinical judgment that the time to lay out a plan for COVID-19 boosters is now." Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said at the briefing. "We know that even highly effective vaccines become less effective over time," U.S.
These include the New York state health department, the Mayo Clinic and the CDC's reporting system for nursing homes in the U.S., plus Israel's ministry of health abroad. The evidence presented at the briefing consists of several recent studies from health systems that have been collecting data on breakthrough infections. Rochelle Walensky, said at the White House briefing. "The data consistently demonstrate a reduction of vaccine effectiveness against infection over time," the CDC's director, Dr. Here's what we've learned so far: What's the evidence that vaccinated people need a booster?įederal health officials are seeing a trend. The White House announcement raised numerous questions about how urgently Americans need boosters, how the rollout will go and more. The new plan has been endorsed by both the Food and Drug Administration and an advisory committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shots - Health News A Shot Against COVID For Kids Under 12 - Your Questions Answered The agencies made no mention then of imminently expanding this recommendation to the wider population. It was just a few days earlier that the FDA and CDC recommended a third shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for a more limited population - people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The timing of the move comes as something of a surprise. And it will help us end the pandemic faster." Just show your vaccination card, get a booster.
"These booster shots are free," President Biden said in remarks Wednesday afternoon encouraging people in the U.S. adults who received a two-dose vaccine would be eligible for an additional jab of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine eight months from when they got their second one. Health officials are preparing to roll out COVID-19 booster shots in the United States this September. adults, starting with those who were vaccinated early on, like the elderly, health care workers and first responders. Federal health officials are planning ahead to give booster shots in the fall to all U.S.