Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fauci: 'Go Get Boosted'
The Hill: Fauci Says All Adults Should 'Go Get Boosted'
President Biden's chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci on Thursday night urged those 18 and older to get a booster shot for added protection against COVID-19. Fauci said on MSNBC's "All in with Chris Hayes" that he has believed "for some time now" that boosters are effective and should be recommended for all adults in the U.S. who received their vaccine six months ago or longer. "If you're 18 or older, go get boosted," Fauci said. (Breslin, 11/18)
On being "fully" vaccinated —
Axios: America's Booster Fight: What Does It Mean To Be "Fully Vaccinated"?
As health officials push COVID booster shots, a debate is quickly emerging around whether the definition of "fully vaccinated" should be changed to include an additional dose of the vaccine. Booster shots provide remarkably strong protection against coronavirus infections, at least for a period of time. But getting the majority of Americans to stick out their arm again would be extremely challenging. (Owens, 11/19)
The CT Mirror: Lamont Urges All Connecticut Adults To Get COVID Booster Shots
Amid rising COVID-19 infection rates in Connecticut and elsewhere in the northeast, Gov. Ned Lamont recommended Wednesday that adult residents not wait on federal guidance to get a vaccine booster shot. “If you’re over 18, go get yourself a booster shot right now if you haven’t had one already,” he said. “[If it’s been] six months since your last shot, get a booster shot. I think that’s the right thing to do. Other states around us are getting … a little more infected. We’re not an island. A booster shot will really protect you, your family, and our state.” (Carlesso, 11/17)
The Hill: Connecticut Governor Says Boosters Needed For People To Be Fully Vaccinated
“We’re 11 months into the vaccination program. In my view, if you were vaccinated more than six months ago, you’re not fully vaccinated,” Lamont said Wednesday while urging people to get vaccinated, NBC Connecticut reported. “If you were vaccinated more than six months ago, now is the time and go get that booster. I urge you to get it now,” he added. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) also said Wednesday that she believes full vaccination against the coronavirus now means that people have a booster shot. (Breslin, 11/18)
On booster news around the country —
The New York Times: Utah And Massachusetts Expand Access To Boosters For All Adults, Joining Several Other States
Utah and Massachusetts on Thursday joined a growing number of states in broadening access to coronavirus vaccine boosters for all adults, just as federal regulators consider granting requests for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna boosters to be authorized for all adults as early as this week, according to people familiar with the planning. The administration of Gov. Charlie Baker announced that all Massachusetts residents ages 18 and older could get a booster, if they met the federal timing rules: six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months past getting the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Levin, 11/18)
San Francisco Chronicle: Booster Shots: California’s MyTurn Site Just Expanded Eligibility
The California Department of Public Health updated its My Turn website on Thursday to open COVID-19 vaccine booster sign-ups to all people 18 and older. Those who want a shot can schedule an appointment or find a walk-in clinic on the website. Everyone 18 and up is eligible, as long as it has been at least six months since they got their Pfizer or Moderna second dose, or at least two months since they got a Johnson & Johnson shot. (Hwang, 11/18)
On the confusion around the drive for booster shots —
KHN: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Boosting Confusion
With covid caseloads rising across much of the country, several governors and mayors are unilaterally expanding access to booster shots, getting out ahead of federal health officials. Speaking of federal health officials, President Joe Biden has finally selected a nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed by the Senate, it would be Dr. Robert Califf’s second stint at the agency that oversees an estimated one fifth of all products sold in the United States. Califf previously served — for less than a year — under President Barack Obama. (11/18)
