Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC: Americans Can Choose Any Booster They Want, Starting Today
Politico: CDC Gives Green Light To Moderna, J&J Boosters Plus Mix-And-Match Strategy
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday formally endorsed the use of Covid-19 booster shots from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for some adults, clearing the way for millions of Americans to receive additional doses. “These recommendations are another example of our fundamental commitment to protect as many people as possible from COVID-19," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. "The evidence shows that all three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are safe — as demonstrated by the over 400 million vaccine doses already given. And, they are all highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even in the midst of the widely circulating Delta variant.” (Gardner, 10 /21)
USA Today: COVID Boosters Get OK From CDC Director, Can Begin As Soon As Friday
Americans are now free to get a free booster dose of all three COVID-19 vaccines, and can even choose to mix and match their vaccines, after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on new recommendations Thursday night. At the same time, CDC recommended boosters for certain people who got Moderna vaccine and all 15 million Americans who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Clinics, doctors and pharmacies can begin giving boosters as soon as Friday. (Weise, 10/21)
The Washington Post: CDC Signs Off On Moderna And Johnson & Johnson Boosters And Says People Can Get A Shot Different From Their Original One
Tens of millions of Americans can sign up to get Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters beginning Friday after the nation’s top public health official endorsed recommendations from expert advisers that the shots are safe and effective at bolstering protection against the coronavirus. The green light from Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, means that eligible Americans at risk of severe disease can choose any of the three boosters now authorized in the United States regardless of their original shot. (Sun and Shepherd, 10/21)
