CDC Vaccine Advisers Endorse Giving COVID-19 Boosters To People Over 65

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to endorse giving a booster shot of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to adults over the age of 65 and those who have underlying health conditions. The booster shot can be administered at least six months after the second dose.

The committee unanimously voted to approve the third shot for people 65 and older. However, the committee was split on whether to recommend the booster shot for all adults with underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe complications from COVID-19.

They held two votes on the issue. The first question on whether to endorse the booster shots for people between the ages of 50 and 64 easily passed by a vote of 13 to 2. The second vote on whether the booster should be administered to people between the ages of 18 and 49 passed by a vote of 9-6.

The committee voted against recommending booster shots for people who work in occupations that put them at a high risk of COVID exposure.

Booster shots can begin being distributed as soon as CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signs off on the committee's endorsement.

The votes came one day after the Food and Drug Administration authorized giving booster shots to people 65 and older, those at higher risk of severe disease, and people who have an increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19 due to their job.


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