Although federal health officials are all still debating about who should receive COVID-19 booster doses, some jurisdictions are pushing forward with their own agendas.
Biden is Just Confusing Everyone
Joe Biden’s plan to launch the boosters to the majority of Americans by September 20 has caused heated controversy. That’s because he is trying to get ahead of the statistical evidence and has split authorities and their external consultants.
Whereas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is anticipated to approve Pfizer and BioNTech’s health boosters in the days ahead, it is unclear who will be eligible to receive it. On Friday, the CDC’s independent immunization advisory council rejected a plan to give the vaccine to anyone aged 16 and up.
They did this in favor of a limited approach that would only give injections to adults over 65 and those who are at high risk of serious illness.
BREAKING—experts unanimously recommended #COVID19 booster be authorized for people 65 and older and those at high risk of severe disease—GOOD. However, voted against boosters for age 16-64 for 6+ months since 2nd shot—POOR DECISION. We see waning already.https://t.co/uAdvOI6Df2
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) September 17, 2021
Meanwhile, Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan signed executive orders earlier in the month enabling booster dosages for everyone 65 or older living in communal settings, such as care homes and drug rehabilitation clinics.
States have been operating without clear instructions from the federal government over these vaccinations for some weeks now, Hogan said in unveiling the announcement. The Maryland governor also described the Biden government’s language as “confusing and conflicting.”
Colorado’s Democrat Governor Jared Polis advised the elderly in his jurisdiction to seek third immunization shots on Monday. “If you’re 70, 80, or have a weaker immune system, get that injection today,” he urged at a press conference, adding that individuals who desire the extra dose don’t need a doctor’s prescription.
As the extremely infectious Delta strain rips throughout the state, a mix of vigorous state actions and medical authorities’ criticisms of Biden’s proposal has exacerbated misunderstandings about who needs injections now.
Outside of the tiny population of critically immunocompromised individuals who already qualify for the injections, some physicians are already prescribing or delivering boosters to patients. Clay Marsh, the director of West Virginia’s Covid reaction, told Politico that there’s been simply a yo-yoing of messaging.
#BREAKING: FDA panel rejects Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine booster in people 16 years and olderhttps://t.co/dF2YbpXt7v
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 17, 2021
All the Experts are Confused
On Friday, the FDA’s vaccine advisory board decided against permitting the Pfizer-BioNTech booster for Citizens 16 and older. They did so while citing concerns about the quality of safety and efficacy data.
The group rather endorsed granting the boost for Americans 65 and up and people at high risk of severe disease. Later, the panel agreed via an unofficial vote that the vaccine should be given to hospital workers and others exposed to COVID at work.
The emphasis now goes to the Food and Drug Administration, which was expected to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech booster as soon as this weekend. Although the government is not obligated to adopt the advice of its advisory council, it risks a backlash from the public if it approves extensive use of boosters in violation of the panel’s suggestions.
