NEW YORK (AP) – An influential U.S. advisory panel will discuss expanding eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to all adults Friday, a The move could make these shots available nationwide as early as this weekend.
Some cities and states have allowed all adults to get the Pfizer vaccine, but that is not yet official US policy. In the last week, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia and Colorado have expanded their shoots to all adults. New York City has made a similar move.
Pfizer asked US regulators last week to allow the COVID-19 vaccine to be given to anyone 18 years of age or older. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to sign Pfizer’s application before the advisory board meets on Friday. The final step – the official CDC recommendation – can be taken immediately after the meeting.
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This move will significantly expand who is eligible. Booster is now recommended for people who first received a second Pfizer or Moderna shot at least six months ago if they are 65 years of age or older or are at high risk for COVID-19 because of health or work problems, or their living conditions. A booster is also recommended for people who received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
Nearly 31 million Americans have received a dose that exceeds their original vaccination dose, including those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, who need more one dose to be fully vaccinated.
While all three vaccines used in the US continue to provide strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the effectiveness of these shots against milder infections may wane. by the time.
Pfizer submitted the initial results of a booster study in 10,000 people to demonstrate that it was time to further expand the booster campaign. The study found that a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infections to about 95%, even if the non-contagious delta variant was increasing. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.
Members of the panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, have debated in previous meetings whether there is sufficient evidence that boosters are now needed for all adults.
Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone contributed to this story from Washington.
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