CDC panel endorses Pfizer booster shot for people 65 and older

The panel also approved booster shots for patients who are considered high-risk, as well as healthcare workers.

Published: September 23, 2021 5:31pm

Updated: September 28, 2021 11:00am

An advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending COVID-19 booster shots for anyone aged 65 and older, healthcare workers, and people with weakened immune systems.

According to The New York Times, the panel of experts unanimously endorsed giving a third shot of Pfizer-BioNtech's vaccine to patients who are between the ages of 18 and 64 but are considered high-risk if they contract the virus.

The panel rejected a proposal to give booster shots to the wider public, which the Biden administration was in favor of.

The CDC's decision is currently in line with the Food and Drug Administration, which approved the COVID booster shot earlier this week.

During the panel hearing, some members expressed their frustration that only Pfizer recipients would qualify for booster shots, which leaves out millions of Americans who received either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

It is still unclear when either of those vaccines will receive full approval by the FDA.

While the CDC panel's recommendation isn't binding, Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is expected to accept the panel's endorsement.