Argentum COVID-19 Announcements

The CDC yesterday announced that it is preferable to get an mRNA vaccine—such as Pfizer or Moderna in a two-shot series—over the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine.  

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky today announced that the CDC recommends and encourages booster shots for ages 16 and 17, as well as reinforcing the previous announcement that those older than 18 get the booster.  

With the increase in cases of the Omicron COVID variant, the FDA and CDC have announced some updates that can help guide testing decisions and action. 

The CDC made a change to its recommendations, saying “Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot.” Previously, the CDC had said everyone “may” get a booster. This stronger recommendation comes in the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant and the prospect of winter holidays, travel, and close quarters.  

The Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended emergency use authorization (EUA) of molnupiravir. The oral capsule medication made by Merck is designed to treat “mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization,” says the FDA.  

While the World Health Organization has classified a new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, as a “variant of concern,” as of Nov. 26, no cases have been reported in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized a single booster dose for all individuals 18 and older who have had their primary vaccinations. The booster would be given six months after the primary series with Moderna or Pfizer, and two months after Johnson & Johnson.

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky gave the go-ahead for vaccination of 5- to 11-year-olds against COVID-19, following the recommendations of the FDA and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (APIC).

The CDC has updated guidance for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised: 

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for ages 5 to 11.