Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Slow Rollout Of Booster Shots Questioned
The New York Times: Colorado Governor Says He Is ‘Frustrated’ With Federal Regulators On Boosters
As federal regulators consider a request to expand eligibility of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine boosters to all adults, three states decided this past week to broaden access on their own. Colorado, New Mexico and California are allowing adults to seek out boosters, provided individuals are at least six months past the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two months past the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. “I’ve been very frustrated with the convoluted messaging out of the C.D.C. and the F.D.A.,” said Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado on Sunday on the CBS show “Face the Nation,” referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Food and Drug Administration. (Hoffman, 11/14)
CBS News: Gottlieb Says Messaging On COVID-19 Boosters Could Be "One Of The Biggest Missed Opportunities In This Pandemic"
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said Sunday that the mixed messaging by the federal government over who can and should receive a COVID-19 booster shot may end up being one of the most consequential missteps of the pandemic. "I think the confusing message around the boosters may end up being one of the biggest missed opportunities in this pandemic. We now see very clear evidence of declining vaccine effectiveness over time," Gottlieb said on "Face the Nation." "There's different reasons why that may be the case, but the trend is unmistakable." (Hayes, 11/14)
On the rollout of boosters for adults —
The Hill: New Mexico Extends Eligibility For COVID-19 Boosters To All Adults
New Mexico is extending eligibility for COVID-19 boosters to all adults, joining California and Colorado. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced Friday that all adults were eligible to get a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine. “As we have throughout this unpredictable and unprecedented global pandemic, we always stand ready to quickly implement new tools and policies in our fight against this terrible disease,” Lujan Grisham said. (Lonas, 11/13)
Axios: All Adults In California, Colorado, New Mexico Can Get COVID Boosters
California, Colorado and New Mexico this week have expanded COVID-19 booster access to all adults. Federal officials have recommended largely limiting the doses to people who are 65 and older, have underlying health conditions or work in high-risk environments... California, Colorado and New Mexico have all seen high rates of COVID transmission in recent weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Chen, 11/13)
CBS News: COVID Booster Shots Allowed For All Adults In California, Colorado And New Mexico
Three states — California, Colorado and New Mexico — are allowing COVID-19 booster shots for all adults, even though federal health officials recommend limiting shots to patients considered most at risk. The three states have some of the nation's highest rates of new COVID infections. "This is really a critical moment in the pandemic," Colorado Governor Jared Polis said. "It has never been more dangerous for the unvaccinated than it is right now." (11/13)
