FDA Advisory Panel Unanimously Recommends J & J Booster Shots

LONG ISLAND, NY —An advisory committee voted unanimously Friday to recommend a booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — on the same day that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new holiday guidance.

According to the New York Times, if the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accept the recommendation, the 15 million who received the one-dose J & J shot could be lining up for their next dose as soon as next week.

The news comes at Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Friday, New York's coronavirus positivity rate stood at 2.40 percent; the seven-day average percent positive was 2.50 percent. On Long Island, the positivity rate stood at 2.75 percent. In New York, 2,112 are hospitalized, with 458 people in intensive care and 255 intubated. A total 30 deaths were reported over the past 24 hours.

As of Friday, in New York, 85.4 percent of individuals have received at least one vaccine dose, with 76.6 percent having completed the vaccine series, state data indicates.

The J & J booster would be available to anyone 18 or over who received the vaccine at least two months earlier, reports said.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee also voted Thursday to green light a booster shot for Moderna's vaccine after six months for people over 65 and for adults with pre-existing conditions that make them vulnerable to severe disease or whose living or work conditions put them at high risk, CNN said.

The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus, the Associated Press said.

The FDA will meet to decide whether or not to accept the recommendations for both boosters.

Also on Friday, with the holiday season approaching, the CDC updated its guidance. "We fully expect that families and friends will gather for the holidays this year and we have updated our guidance on how to best to stay safe over the holidays," the CDC said."The best way to minimize COVID risk and ensure that people can safely gather is to get vaccinated or get the booster if you’re eligible."

To stay safe, the CDC said:

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
• Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
• Outdoors is safer than indoors.
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

Special considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

"By working together, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health as well as the health of our family and friends," the CDC said.