With the emergence of the corona variant Omicron, advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have once again urged that all adults in the United States receive a booster shot.
Earlier in November, they already recommended the third injection for all adults after first advocating booster shots for all people over 50.
According to the CDC, anyone over the age of 18 can get an extra shot if the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines were put in more than six months ago or two months after the Janssen vaccine was administered.
“The recent emergence of the corona variant Omicron demonstrates once again the importance of vaccination, booster shots and preventive measures,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. She also orders the 47 million adults in the US who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible and vaccinate children.
President Joe Biden said earlier Monday that any changes to vaccines or booster shots are required for this new variant, and its development will be accelerated by any means necessary. He called on the US drug regulator FDA and the CDC to make the vaccines available quickly.