With CDC adding its approval just hours after FDA did the same on Friday, all U.S. adults are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters at least six months after their initial immunization. The hope is that there will be less confusion over who can and cannot get the extra dose and more protection of the public as infections begin to creep up again.
“[Boosters] have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, who signed off on the decision.
Although anyone aged 18 years and older can now get a booster if they want, some health experts maintain that it is not really necessary for the general population. Others say getting unvaccinated people protected, not providing boosters, is the key to controlling transmission.