Booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for everyone 18 and older were first authorized on Nov. 19 by U.S. health officials. All adults who’d received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine were already eligible for a booster.
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An effort to keep Americans calm about Omicron
The latest move to expand booster availability comes as President Joe Biden tries to keep Americans calm about Omicron. Shortly after it emerged in South Africa, he called the new variant “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.”
Echoing that concern, the CDC then strengthened its recommendations on boosters, urging all Americans aged 18 and older to get the extra dose for the best protection.
“Today, CDC is strengthening its recommendation on booster doses for individuals who are 18 years and older. Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Nov. 29 in an agency statement.
As “scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this [Omicron] variant, I strongly encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to vaccinate the children and teens in their families as well, because strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness,” Walensky adds.
The Omicron variant has now spread to 21 U.S. states, as vaccine makers are still trying to determine whether their current shots will work as well against the new variant, or whether modified vaccines will be needed to fight it.
Those that are fully vaccinated, may be able to start doing some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic, but should still take extra precautions.
Preventing COVID
In addition to getting vaccinated, the FDA recommends the following tips to prevent yourself from developing COVID:
- Wash your hands often with plain soap and water. The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Learn more about safely using hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering or non-surgical mask when around others. Find more information about how to select, wear, and clean your mask.
- Follow CDC guidance on large gatherings, social distancing and mask wearing, based on if you are fully vaccinated or not.
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