The Republican Governors of Utah and Massachusetts decided to allow all adults to get a Covid-19 booster shot, the latest in a string of states to defy public health guidance and allow all adults to get the third shot before the holidays.
A registered nurse draws up a dose of Pfizer Covid-19 at a health center.
Boston Globe.
Cox said the state wanted to make it very simple for people to get the booster shots.
The Washington Post reports that California was the first state to allow everyone to get a booster shot on November 9.
Colorado followed on November 11 as Gov.Jared Polis declared the state to be a high risk for Covid-19 transmission.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday that the state would likely open up access in the days ahead, if anyone was considering the extra shot.
New York City and New York State have both expanded the availability of booster shots for adults.
The New York Times is reporting that the Food and Drug Administration could authorize the shots as soon as Thursday, ahead of the CDC meeting, which will discuss whether to recommend booster shots for all adults.
The number is big.
18.2%. The percentage of US adults who have received a booster shot is higher than the percentage who have received their initial vaccine series.
The key background.
Evidence showing the effectiveness of the vaccines fades over time has made Covid-19 booster shots more important than ever. The winter weather may cause more Covid-19 transmission to be increased. The FDA and CDC initially allowed booster shots for adults over the age of 65 and younger adults who are at a higher risk of Covid-19 exposure or severe illness, but stopped short of suggesting the shots for all adults as some other countries had already done. The World Health Organization has urged against wealthy nations using the vaccine supply on booster shots for those who aren't immunocompromised, but some health experts have spoken out in favor of the boosters being more widely available. If you had a primary vaccine, get a booster, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
States circumvent federal guidelines to give booster shots to adults.
California, Colorado and New Mexico join NYC in expanding covid booster shots to all adults.
Colorado Governor signs an executive order expanding the shot's eligibility for all adults.
Scientists back boosters to stop infections after a study found waning immunity months after the second dose.
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