THE LATEST ON
COVID-19 BOOSTERS
By Dr. Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
More than 180 million Americans, including more than 80 percent of people over age 65, are fully vaccinated against the
SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. There’s no question that full vaccination is the best way to protect yourself
against this devastating virus and reduce your chances of developing severe or long-lasting illness if you do get sick. But,
to stay ahead of this terrible virus, important questions do remain. A big one right now is: How soon will booster shots be
needed and for whom?
The answers to this question will continue to evolve as more high-quality data become available. But here’s what we know
right now for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), recommended that:
Those 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster
shot at least 6 months after being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot at
least 6 months after being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Individuals aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster
shot at least 6 months after getting fully vaccinated with their Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks
Frontline workers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may receive a booster. This
group includes anyone age 18 through 64 whose frequent institutional or occupational
exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of COVID-19
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