Coronavirus: 4 things to know about expanded booster shot eligibility – SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week expanded eligibility for the coronavirus (COVID-19) booster shot, including those who received either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Booster doses of Pfizers vaccine began last month for people at high risk of coronavirus, and a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has recommended the same approach for Moderna recipients. An FDA panel has also endorsed a booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

On Thursday, the CDC announced expanded booster shot eligibility. Here are four things to know about the agencys current recommendations.

MODERNA, PFIZER

The following Americans who had their initial Moderna or Pfizer two-dose vaccine course at least six months ago are now eligible to receive a booster shot: those 65 years and older; those 18 years and older who live inlong-term care settings; those 18 years and older who haveunderlying medical conditions; those 18 and older who work or live inhigh-risk settings.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

For those who had a Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, booster shots are now recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

CHOOSING A BOOSTER

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDCs recommendations now allow for mix-and-match dosing for booster shots.

VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS

According to recent data, all three coronavirus vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effectivein reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant.

The evidence shows that all three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are safe as demonstrated by the over 400 million vaccine doses already given, said Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the CDC, in a statement.

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Coronavirus: 4 things to know about expanded booster shot eligibility - SILive.com