CDC director expands COVID-19 booster eligibility to all adults

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., Friday expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to include all adults aged 18 and older who received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, as recommended by the agency's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

"Booster shots 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," Walensky said.

CDC said it continues to encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and communities.

"We also strongly encourage those who were already eligible ¬- older populations and individuals with underlying medical conditions¬ ¬- to get boosted before the holidays," the agency said.

The Food and Drug Administration Friday authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals aged 18 or older at least six months after receiving the initial two-dose series or two months after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. CDC's ACIP then recommended a single booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals aged 18 or older, based on individual benefit and risk, at least six months after receiving the initial two-dose series.