The United States government advisory committee alarmed older US citizens on Wednesday to go for another COVID-19 shot, even after getting the booster shot. The advisory panel voted 11-1 in favour of recommending an additional dose of the updated vaccine for Americans aged 65 and older.
This recommendation, if approved by the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would set the stage for further guidance on booster shots.
The decision followed extensive deliberations on whether to suggest or mandate additional shots for older adults. This deliberation reflects ongoing discussions among experts regarding the necessity of another booster and concerns about public fatigue with vaccine recommendations.
While some medical professionals argue that the fall shot offers sufficient protection for most older adults, citing studies showing no significant decline in vaccine effectiveness over six months. The advisory acknowledged that vaccine-induced immunity diminishes over time, particularly among seniors. The committee had previously recommended booster doses for older adults in 2022 and 2023.
Given the ongoing threat of COVID-19, especially to older populations, with over 20,000 hospitalizations and 2,000 deaths attributed to the virus weekly, the “should” recommendation is intended to encourage healthcare providers to offer the shots more proactively.
The updated vaccine, formulated against the XBB.1.5 variant, replaced earlier combination shots targeting both the original strain and an earlier version of omicron. The CDC recommended these new shots for all individuals aged six months and older, with provisions for those with weakened immune systems to receive a second dose as early as two months after the first.
However, vaccine uptake has not been universal, with only 13% of US children and about 22% of US adults vaccinated according to CDC data. Despite a higher vaccination rate among adults aged 65 and older, fatigue with repeated vaccinations is evident.
