CDC chief endorses booster doses of Moderna, Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, mixing shots

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky endorsed Thursday evening recommendations for booster doses for Moderna's and Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccines and to "mix and match dosing for booster shots." "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," Walensky said in a statement.
She added "they are all highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even in the midst of the widely circulating Delta variant." According to the CDC, for individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the groups eligible for "a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series" are people "65 years and older, age 18+ who live in long-term care settings, age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions and age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings." It indicated "for the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago." "There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States," the CDC stressed. "Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose." It added "CDCآ’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots." (end) si.mt