Siuslaw News | US Scientific Safety Review Working Group recommends booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine after six months



[ad_1]

September 29, 2021 – On September 24, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup completed its review of the federal process and recommended a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months after their primary immunization for people over 65 years of age and those at risk. higher. for serious illness due to COVID-19. The working group provided confirmation to the governors of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

“COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccination continues to be our way out of this pandemic,” Oregon Governor Kate Brown said. “Seniors who have received the Pfizer vaccine, as well as residents of Oregon who have underlying health conditions, live in long-term care facilities, or who are at higher risk because of their illness. professional or institutional environment, can now receive the additional layer of protection provided by a recall. Determined to ensure our most vulnerable Oregonians are protected from COVID-19, including those who are at greatest risk due to systemic social and health inequalities. continue to respond to Delta’s continued surge. “
The working group recommended that the following groups of people who received the Pfizer vaccine receive a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine after six months:

  • People 65 and over,
  • People living in a long-term care facility, and
  • People aged 50 to 64 with underlying health problems.

In addition, the working group recommended that the following groups of people aged 18 to 64 who received the Pfizer vaccine should also receive a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine after six months:

  • People with underlying health problems, and
  • People who are at higher risk of exposure and transmission to COVID-19 due to a professional or institutional setting.

The task force strongly endorsed the CDC’s recognition that long-standing social and health inequalities have increased the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and recommended that the social determinants of vulnerability be included in the assessment of medical conditions that qualify individuals for booster doses.

Since unvaccinated individuals remain at much greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than vaccinated individuals, the task force also reiterated that its members strongly support the COVID-19 vaccination for anyone aged 12 and under. more.
On September 22, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for people 65 years of age and older and those at higher risk of COVID-19, and the CDC’s advisory committee on immunization practices affirmed that decision Sept. 23.

The CDC also recommended that people at higher risk due to their work or institutional environment also be eligible for booster doses of Pfizer.

Recognizing that only Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have been authorized for booster doses, the task force urged the FDA and CDC to quickly find solutions to maintain protection for the most vulnerable people who have received a Moderna or Johnson vaccine. & Johnson (Janssen). The task force also applauded the donation of COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need and called for an expansion of these efforts to protect the global community, save lives and prevent the emergence of new variants of COVID-19.
Washington, Oregon and Nevada joined the California COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Task Force in October. The task force, made up of nationally recognized scientists with expertise in immunization and public health, simultaneously and independently reviewed the actions of the FDA related to COVID-19 vaccines. It will continue to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines as they go through the federal process.

[ad_2]

Source link