Additional doses are supported by the FDA, international travel restrictions are lifted, and rules regarding vaccine mandates are being developed. Here's what you need to know:
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FDA panel approves additional Moderna- and Johnson & Johnson doses
A FDA advisory committee today recommended a second Johnson & Johnson shot. This vaccine was received by fewer Americans than the mRNA shots. Therefore, there is less data. However, the FDA advisory committee recommended that recipients aged 18 and over receive a second dose of Johnson & Johnson shot two months after receiving their first vaccine. The same committee recommended Thursday that booster shots be given to Modernas vaccine recipients who are 65 years old or part of other vulnerable groups. Next, a Centers for Disease Control advisory committee will discuss additional doses at meetings next week. Distribution could begin if they approve.
In August, the first boosters, the third doses Pfizers vaccine, was approved in the USA. Since then, President Biden has emphasized the importance of additional shots for Americans who are vulnerable. Boosters have been controversial, particularly because many countries in the world still struggle to obtain initial doses.
Pandemic travel restrictions lift around the globe
Today, the Biden administration announced that travel restrictions will be lifted for fully vaccinated travelers from 33 countries starting November 8. This includes a number European nations, China and Iran. Travelers from other countries will have to meet stricter restrictions. The US will lift all restrictions on fully-vaccinated travelers who enter the country via land from Canada or Mexico next month. Migrants will continue to be subject to a different border policy.
Many other countries, including the USA, are lifting strict travel restrictions that were in place during the pandemic. Officials from Australia have announced that travellers who are vaccinated and traveling to Sydney in the next month will not need to be quarantined. India will soon allow foreign tourists after 19 months. Soon, Bali and Malaysia will open their doors to foreign tourists who have been vaccinated.
Despite some resistance, the final review of government vaccine mandate rules is underway
President Biden ordered the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create rules for company mandates regarding vaccines. The agency presented its final proposal to the Office of Management and Budget earlier this week. While a number of state attorneys general have stated that they will not support the measures, many businesses have implemented their own protocols following the president's executive order. For example, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both upheld their employee mandates despite being based in Texas where such policies are prohibited by the governor. Boeing joined the ranks recently of companies that require workers to have their shots.
