CDC strengthens booster guidance due to Omicron

CDC strengthens booster guidance due to Omicron

 

The CDC strengthened recommendations for booster doses of coronavirus vaccine Monday, saying all adults should get boosted six months after their second dose of Pfizer/BioNTech's or Moderna's vaccine, or two months after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.   It's a slight but significant tweak to the wording of guidance issued earlier this month when the CDC endorsed an expanded emergency use authorization for boosters from the US Food and Drug Administration.   "Today, CDC is strengthening its recommendation on booster doses for individuals who are 18 years and older," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement.   "The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19," she added.   Previously, the CDC said people should get a booster if they are 50 or older, or 18 and older and living in long-term care. Otherwise, it advised that anyone 18 and older may get a booster. Now the word "should" applies to everyone 18 and older.