Booster shots: FDA approves them as Israelis over 50 get them

Just as Israel was expanding its coronavirus booster shot program to Israelis 50 years and older, the Food and Drug Administration announced those who are immunocompromised can get booster shots for either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sealed their endorsement of the FDA’s decision with a vote Friday.

Those who are considered immunocompromised include several million Americans who have received organ transplants or have certain cancers or other disorders.

“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease,” Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement. “After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines.”

The FDA warns those who are immunocompromised should wait at least 28 days after receiving their second dose before looking into booster shots.

When it comes to the general population, Woodcock added, “Individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time”.

Meanwhile in Israel, as seen in the video above, adults 50 years and older rushed to get their booster shot Friday.

Israel was one of the world’s leaders in vaccinating its population early this year. Last month, Israel began offering booster shots to people over the age of 60, becoming the first country in the world that uses a Western vaccine to do so.

“Yes, we are the pioneers and it’s like a historic event,” Israeli booster shot recipient Orna Bar said. “And I’m very grateful that I can take the third shot and I hope that many Israelis will come and do the right thing and all the Israelis will be healthy and not have the pandemic here anymore.”

Just like the United States, Israel has seen a surge in cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 in recent weeks, even among those who are already vaccinated.

As people in the U.S. and Israel get their booster shots, U.N. health officials have recommended against it. Those officials say it is more important to get people in poorer countries vaccinated.