CDC expands eligibility for COVID-19 boosters

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on October 21, endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for a booster of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations.

For individuals who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the following are eligible for a booster at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings
• 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions
• 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings.

For those who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, boosters also are recommended for those 18 years and older and who were vaccinated 2 or more months ago.

The recommendations now allow for mix and match dosing for boosters, and eligible individuals may choose which vaccine to receive as a booster, the CDC says.