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October 25, 2021
There’s been lots of movement in regard to COVID-19 vaccines boosters and eligibility.
Naturally, it’s caused some information overload and maybe a bit of confusion. That’s why we’re here to lay out the latest COVID-19 vaccine information.
What vaccines have boosters available?
As of Wednesday, Oct. 20, all three COVID-19 vaccines are available for single booster shots under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) after the Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization to include the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
The FDA and CDC originally approved a booster of the Pfizer vaccine to be administered last month.
Who can receive a COVID-19 booster, and when?
For the Moderna booster shot, the FDA says individuals are eligible to receive the extra dose at least six months after being fully vaccinated. Individuals that are also the following are eligible:
- 65 years or older
- 18 through 64 years and at high risk of severe COVID-19
- 18 through 64 with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to COVID-19
For the Johnson & Johnson booster, individuals that are at least 18 years old and have been fully vaccinated for at least two months are eligible for the extra dose.
For the Pfizer booster, individuals are eligible under the same rules as the Moderna booster shot. They also must be fully vaccinated with the first two doses for at least six months.
Can I mix and match boosters?
Yes. Along with the FDA’s expansion of the EUA to allow Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots, the organization also authorize the use of heterologous – or mix and match – booster doses.
The FDA cited clinical trial data from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and its evaluation of the available data that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks. The same time periods apply as those EUA booster doses of the vaccine used for primary vaccination.
For example, a fully vaccinated individual adult aged 18 or older that received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may receive a single booster does of Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
Can children receive the vaccine?
Not as October 20, 2021. However, reports are indicating children ages 5 to 11 will be able to soon, according to the White House.
A CDC advisory panel is scheduled to meet Nov. 2-3 and will discuss the topic in the meeting.
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