CDC Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Booster For Millions

OCEANSIDE, NY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending a COVID-19 Pfizer booster shot for everyone 65 years of age and older, and residents of long-term care facilities.

It follows the CDC advisory panel's recent recommendations.

Those in the 50-64 age bracket should also receive dose number three if they have underlying health conditions.

"Older people are the ones that are at the greatest risk," Dr. Aaron Glatt, head of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, told Patch. "Those are the groups in my opinion that should be most interested in getting a booster six months after their previous shot."

The CDC is suggesting that people between the ages of 18-49 with underlying health factors could get the booster as well.

"The individuals will be making their own decision," Glatt said. "It's not like at the beginning when there was a dearth of vaccine availability. There's enough vaccine available right now that if people feel they want to get it, I think that they can."

One area where CDC Director Rochelle Walensky separated from the advisory panel was with 18-64-year-old health care workers or those in other professions putting them at increased risk for the virus.

Walensky is allowing booster shots for that group.

If anyone is uncertain about qualifying for another shot, Glatt said they should get guidance from their doctor.

As for expanding the list, regardless of underlying conditions, Glatt said "it's too early to say."

But, he proclaimed, "it's very safe and it's very effective."