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Whether you’re a Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J, high-risk or no-risk, if you’re 18 or older and live in the U.S., you can line up for a juicy boost.
In a unanimous vote Friday, the FDA knocked down the final booster restrictions for adults, and the CDC followed. Data shows it’s a good idea since immunity wanes over time, but also, as the head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Dr. Peter Marks puts it:
“Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”
The U.S. is already seeing what could be the beginning of an incoming wave, as the holidays and weather bring/push people together indoors, so this is welcome news. Over 31.4 million people in the U.S. have already received their third shot, and this likely means more soon, which experts say is only a good thing.
However, many are concerned that wealthy nations are offering third doses to all when half the world hasn’t even had #1.
Data from Israel shows that boosters are worth it. And the best way to fight this thing is with vaccines. Also, those boosters were already in the U.S., so a shot in your arm doesn’t take away a shot from someone in a developing country.
