Who should get the covid booster shots?

The federal government has announced that some Americans might need covid booster shots against the coronavirus because the vaccine protection diminishes over time. The Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) is expected to make a final decision by the end of September 2021 on what specific covid booster shots are approved.

Who should be the first people to receive the covid booster shots?

If the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) authorizes the third shot, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends giving these covid booster shots to people eight months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine. At this point that group includes healthcare workers, elderly people, and people with a weak immune system and with pre-existing health conditions who were first in line when the vaccines became available.

The Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine booster shots might be provided to people with the aforementioned characteristics who also are over the age of 12. And for those who received the Moderna vaccine, the same characteristics apply except that they must be over the age of 18. In general terms, it would be necessary to give the covid booster shots to people with vulnerable health, the elderly, and health workers such as doctors and nurses.

The Pfizer company has conducted clinical studies and is in advanced stages in the process of submitting data to the F.D.A. supporting the use of the extra dose of the covid booster shots. Meanwhile, the Moderna company is still studying whether a half dose or a full dose would work better for these covid booster shots, but it’s still awaiting results. Both companies hope to complete their reinforcement data soon to be able to start with the application of the third injection as a reinforcement. Similarly, people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, who initially received a single dose, will probably require an additional dose, but Johnson & Johnson is waiting for the results of a clinical study first.

As for the World Health Organization (WHO), it has asked the F.D.A for a global moratorium on a third dose of the vaccine until the end of September, while the European Union considers that there is still not enough evidence that shows the covid booster shots are necessary.

Why would it be important to take the booster dose 8 months after the second one?

The third dose has not yet been approved, as COVID-19 is constantly evolving. Experts in the health field are analyzing all available studies and data to understand the level of effectiveness of vaccines, and how they affect newer variants, including delta. But with the data that is already available, a booster dose would be necessary to prevent a loss of immunity. It also would help to stop the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 that has increased infections and hospitalizations in people of all ages, with or without pre-existing health conditions. Before starting to offer the covid booster shots as an additional dose of the vaccine, they must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, as this is the government agency that is responsible for approving the use of new vaccines, drugs, and other related products for public health.

Once the covid booster shot is approved, Sanitas will work hard to gain access to the shot for our patients. The first two doses of the vaccines are now available in select locations by appointment only. Visit our COVID-19 hub for details and more information. Let’s crush covid together by becoming vaccinated!