Covid-19 Boosters OK'd; Under 12 Still Waiting For 1st Jab [POLL]

NEW YORK — Approval of booster shots for those already vaccinated against the coronavirus vaccine was the big question this week.

There was some confusion about who it would cover, but it was sorted out eventually.

Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backed booster shots — but only for a small segment of Americans.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendations late Thursday, but not until she added two other categories that could receive boosters.

So as of now, those eligible for COVID-19 booster shots are people 65 and older and nursing home and assisted-living residents who have already received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

Also on the list of those who can receive booster shots are people 18 to 64 with risky health conditions and people 18 to 64 who are health care workers or have jobs that put them at increased risk of getting the virus.

All of the above must have gotten their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. At this time only people who have received the Pfizer vaccine are being considered for getting a booster shot.

Whether children ages 12 to 17 will eventually be eligible for booster shots remains an open question. The age group wasn't authorized until mid-May to even get vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. As of July 31, the CDC said 42 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 had received one or more Pfizer vaccinations against the coronavirus. Thirty-two percent had completed the two-dose series.

Getting children under age 12 vaccinated against the coronavirus is also up in the air.

In a statement dated Sept. 10, the FDA said it is still working on authorizing a COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12.

"Children are not small adults — and issues that may be addressed in pediatric vaccine trials can include whether there is a need for different doses or different strength formulations of vaccines already used for adults," the federal health agency said.

The FDA cautioned parents to not seek out vaccines currently in use to be given to their children who are younger than 12 years old.

"Until we authorize or approve a vaccine for this younger population, it's especially important that parents and others who interact closely with children under 12 years of age get vaccinated, wear masks and follow other recommended precautions so that we can protect those who cannot yet protect themselves through vaccination," health officials said.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.