CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults Ages 18 Years and Older

By Centers for Disease Control and Prevention November 22, 2021

On Nov. 19, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, approved the comprehensive recommendations of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for booster injections for all adults 18 years of age and older receiving a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna received a vaccine. at least six months after their second dose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and the CDC’s recommendation for use are critical next steps forward in our country’s booster program — one that will help provide better protection against the illness and death of COVID-19.

CDC continues to encourage the 47 million adults who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, loved ones and communities. We also strongly encourage those who have already qualified – older populations and those with underlying medical conditions – to get a boost before the holidays.

Anyone can find available vaccines near them on vaccins.gov and can consult their healthcare provider or local pharmacist if they have any questions about vaccines or boosters.

The following is attributable to Dr. walensky:

“Following a critical scientific review, today’s unanimous decision carefully reviewed the current state of the pandemic, the latest data on vaccine effectiveness over time, and the assessment of safety data from people already receiving a primary COVID-19 vaccine series. and booster have been taken into consideration. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and serious consequences and are an important public health tool to bolster our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over the age of 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”