US regulators approve Covid-19 boosters for all adults
Washington, Nov 19 (EFE).- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave approval Friday for the administration of third doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines to all adults in the United States.
The decision was announced by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky hours after the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended extending eligibility for boosters beyond people 65 and up and some younger adults thought to be at higher risk of becoming infected.
“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a Covid-19 primary vaccine series and booster,” the director said in a statement.
“Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays,” Walensky added.
“Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a Covid-19 booster dose,” she said.
People become eligible for the booster six months after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Some of the 50 US states began offering third doses to all adults several weeks ago in response to an uptick in new infections ahead of next week’s Thanksgiving holiday, traditionally the busiest period for travel.
No country has been harder by Covid-19 than the US, which leads the world in deaths – more than 770,000 – and confirmed cases, approaching 48 million. EFE ssa/dr
