Despite No Federal Government Conclusion... States Rapidly Allow Booster Shots

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] In the United States, state governments are increasingly deciding to expand the eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots regardless of federal government guidelines.

Although federal health authorities have not yet made a full expansion decision since approving booster shots for certain groups such as the elderly in September, there are movements at the state government level to expand booster shot administration.

According to the Associated Press on the 13th (local time), California, the most populous state in the U.S., along with New Mexico and Colorado, have decided to expand booster shot eligibility.

California health authorities sent a letter to local health officials stating that everyone should be allowed to decide for themselves about their risk of virus exposure.

The state authorities instructed that individuals aged 18 and over who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine six months ago, or the Janssen vaccine two months ago, should not be turned away if they request a booster shot.

New Mexico also issued an executive order on the 12th to expand booster shot eligibility.

A state health official said, "Some hospitals in the state are overwhelmed by the increase in confirmed cases," adding, "It is our mission to reduce opportunities for virus spread, so please get the booster shot immediately when it is time."

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order on the 11th to expand booster shot use for those aged 18 and older. Colorado is also a place where some hospitals have reached a critical point due to the influx of COVID-19 patients.

Governor Polis said that about 20% of those eligible for vaccination have not even received their first dose, stating, "If everyone had completed their vaccinations, we wouldn’t be having this conversation."

According to the Associated Press, Colorado and New Mexico are among the states with the highest rates of new infections. California, which had the lowest infection rate in early autumn, is now classified as a high infection rate area.

President Joe Biden pushed for booster shots for all adults, but in September, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided on limited booster shots for seniors aged 65 and older and those with underlying conditions, following the advice of external advisory committees.

Meanwhile, Pfizer reapplied on the 9th for booster shot use for all adults, and the review is ongoing.

President Biden views booster shot expansion as a way to suppress the Delta variant, but there have been foreign media reports that opinions are divided among administration officials, with the CDC director expressing caution about expanding booster shots.

Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, said, "With winter approaching and the Delta variant continuing to spread, delays in booster shots are concerning," adding, "Everyone needs a third dose."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.