The Food and Drug Administration has expanded emergency use authorization for booster shots with both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for all adults aged 18 and older.
Prior to this decision, booster shots were approved for only certain individuals, including those over age 65 and anyone age 18 through age 64 at high risk of a severe case of SARS-CoV-2 and individuals with frequent institutional or occupational exposure.
“Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against COVID-19, including the serious consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.
Booster shots can be administered 180 days, six months, after an individual has completed his or her original two-shot vaccination series.
Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said, “Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”
Two Georgia congressmen are co-sponsoring legislation governing COVID-19 vaccination.
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Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA12) signed on to H.R. 6017. The resolution prohibits vaccination mandates for minors. It would also require parental consent for a minor to be vaccinated.
It was introduced Nov. 18 by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN3). It has been referred to both the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and Labor.
Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA10) is co-sponsoring H.R. 6016. It would prohibit executive agencies from requiring employees to receive a vaccination under Federal contracts.
Introduced by Rep. James Comer (R-KY1) on Nov. 18, the resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC3) is also a co-sponsor on both resolutions.
The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is top of mind at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The agency recommends being tested for COVID-19 before attending a family gathering or traveling.
“People should not attend any social gatherings if they have any symptoms of COVID 19, if they have tested positive in the last 10 days or if they’ve been exposed to a confirmed case and they had been instructed to quarantine, said state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell. “Further if you’re not fully vaccinated, you need to wear a well fitted mask over your nose and mouth if you’re in a public indoor setting.”
Although too late to be considered fully vaccinated in time for Thanksgiving, Bell says there is plenty of time to complete a vaccination series in time for Christmas.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
