CDC greenlights extra Covid-19 booster shots for select individuals
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US have updated their Covid-19 vaccine recommendations to allow an additional dose of the bivalent booster for those aged 65 and over, or those with weakened immune systems who want added protection against the virus. The move is in line with the US Food and Drug Administration's decision on Tuesday to allow these groups to receive additional booster doses ahead of the autumn vaccination campaign. The CDC now recommends the updated bivalent shots from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech for everyone aged six and over, even if they didn't complete the two-dose series of the original shots.
The new recommendation comes as monovalent mRNA vaccines, which only protect against the original strain of the coronavirus, will no longer be recommended in the US. The updated vaccines protect against the original strain, as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant. Those who are aged six and over and have already received a dose of the updated vaccine do not need more shots now unless they are aged 65 and over or have a weakened immune system.
The updated boosters have been available in the US since September under emergency use authorizations, or EUAs, which restrict how they may be given. The FDA amended these EUAs on Tuesday to allow certain groups to get an additional dose ahead of other people. The FDA also urged anyone who has not yet received their first dose of the bivalent booster to do so, as only around 17% of eligible Americans have received the recommended booster dose.
The CDC has reported early data that shows the effectiveness of the bivalent vaccines, even against emergency room visits and hospitalizations, has already started to wane. However, the agency had previously not been free to make a "permissive use" recommendation about the boosters that would allow doctors to offer additional doses to vulnerable people. As time has passed, many adults with reduced immune function because of their age or an underlying health problem have been asking doctors whether they need another dose of the bivalent vaccines.
The FDA intends to make decisions about future vaccinations for most Americans after receiving recommendations on the fall strain composition from its advisory committee in June. This new recommendation aims to provide added protection to those most vulnerable to Covid-19, as the world continues to navigate the ongoing pandemic.
The updated vaccine recommendations by the CDC and FDA come as new variants of the coronavirus continue to emerge, and as many countries struggle to contain the spread of the virus. The Omicron variant, which was first identified in South Africa in November 2021, has been causing concern worldwide due to its high transmissibility and potential for immune evasion.
While the bivalent vaccines have been shown to be effective against the Omicron variant, the effectiveness of the vaccines does appear to wane over time, particularly for those who are older or have weakened immune systems. This is why the new recommendations from the CDC and FDA are focused on providing added protection to these vulnerable populations.
It's important to note that the updated vaccine recommendations are based on early data, and may be subject to change as more data becomes available. However, the CDC and FDA are urging those who are eligible to receive the updated bivalent booster to do so in order to help protect themselves and others from Covid-19.
Overall, the new recommendations from the CDC and FDA are part of a larger effort to combat the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and to prevent the emergence of new variants that could potentially be more dangerous. As the world continues to navigate the pandemic, it's important for individuals to stay informed and to follow public health guidelines in order to help protect themselves and their communities.