The US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday recommended booster doses of
the COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. The endorsement came hours after CDC
vaccine advisers voted unanimously to recommend booster doses of the
Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines six months after adults have completed
their first two doses.

The latest recommendations
simplify what were previously a complicated set of instructions for booster
doses.

Earlier on
Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Pfizer/BioNTech
and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses for everyone aged 18 and above, CNN reported.

“CDC
continues to encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get
vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, loved
ones and communities,” a statement from the CDC read.

“We also
strongly encourage those who were already eligible – older populations and
individuals with underlying medical conditions – to get boosted before the holidays.”

Also Read | WHO chief wants booster ‘scandal’ to end across the globe

Earlier, booster
doses were only recommended for people aged 65 and above who have completed
their Pfizer or Moderna vaccination at least six months ago, as well as certain
adults at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Friday’s announcement make the
guidelines simpler, recommending all adults to get booster doses six months
after their second shot.

Studies
have shown that immunity against COVID-19 provided by vaccines begins to subside
and protection against milder and asymptomatic disease, in particular, may drop.
Booster doses help restore that immunity, studies have shown.

Also Read | Emmanuel Macron appeals to people to get COVID booster shots amid rising concerns

“After
critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered
the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over
time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a
COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster,” CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky
said in a statement.

“Booster
shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection
against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool
to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on
the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to
a COVID-19 booster dose.”