Federal public health officials planning for Americans 18+ get booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine eight months after second-dose jab.
Michigan will use its existing network of vaccine providers to issue third doses of COVID-19 vaccines if the booster shots are approved by federal regulators. Federal public health officials announced Wednesday they are recommending a COVID-19 booster shot for all Americans age 18 and older eight months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The booster is needed, they said, as recent data from various studies is showing protection against mild and moderate disease is decreasing over time, likely because of waning immunity and the strength of the widespread delta variant, which is driving up cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the country. More: Michigan’s top doctor asks Whitmer for school mask mandate. The governor hasn’t budged. Officials say the data affirms vaccine protection remains high against the worse outcomes of the virus, but they are concerned there could be reduced protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death in the months ahead. The booster shots would be available starting the week of Sept.20 if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said when it comes booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds and minors, all of whom are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, „we are gonna let the FDA weigh in on that.“ He said based on the FDA recommendations and the CDC panel’s recommendations, „we will have guidance to share for those who are under 18.“ „For people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we anticipate vaccine boosters will likely be needed,“ Murthy said, adding that the one-shot vaccine was not administered widely in the U.S. until March and more data is expected on it in the coming weeks. A third dose of the mRNA vaccines, Pfizer or Moderna, was recommended last week for some people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised as they may not build the same level of immunity to the two-dose vaccine series as those whose immune systems are not compromised. More: Metro Detroit health departments giving 3rd COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised More: Detroit to offer third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised residents There is an adequate supply of vaccine to ensure those who are eligible receive a third dose, Lynn Sutfin, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said Wednesday. She said the CDC is reporting 40 million doses nationwide are in the field: 20 million each of Pfizer and Moderna. The CDC said people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised make up about 3% of the adult population and could include those who have been receiving active cancer treatments or cancers of the blood, received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system or have active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress their immune response among others. It recommends the third dose be given at least four weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and it should be the same vaccine the person already received. More: Mike Shirkey’s remarks on COVID-19 immunity are misleading, false More: Shirkey: Natural COVID-19 immunity lasts ‚forever‘; school mask mandates ‚dumbest thing‘ Sutfin didn’t provide an exact number of Michiganders who are immunocompromised, but said qualification for an additional dose depends on „the physician assessment and clinical decision.
