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Coronavirus pandemic
WorldUnited States & Canada

Politico | Coronavirus: Biden admin recommends booster shots for all Americans

  • Third doses of vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer will be available starting September 20
  • Officials cited the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant and diminishing protection from jabs over time as reasons for the move

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POLITICO

This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Erin Banco on politico.com on August 18, 2021.

The Biden administration is recommending that Americans receive Covid-19 booster shots eight months after completing their first round of vaccination.

“We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting eight months after an individual’s second dose,” top administration health officials said in a statement on Wednesday, attributing the change to the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant.

“Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination roll-out,” added the group, whose members include President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, and the heads of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health.
US CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is seen during a hearing in Washington in May. Photo: Reuters
US CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is seen during a hearing in Washington in May. Photo: Reuters

The policy will apply to people who have received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, and is contingent on authorisation from the FDA and a review by CDC’s vaccine advisory committee.

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