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.  

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.  

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.

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.  

The CDC has expanded booster eligibility and its recommendations to include “mix and match” dosing—receiving a booster of a different type from the primary vaccine.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday amended its emergency use authorizations for several actions regarding booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including allowing the use of heterologous, or “mix and match” booster doses: using a different type of vaccine from the primary dose for a booster dose.

An FDA independent expert panel has recommended people 18 and older have a booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and that it be given at least two months after the first shot. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was given as a single dose.