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The White House plans to recommend a booster shot of coronavirus vaccine eight months after most Americans finish their initial immunizations, The New York Times reported Monday night.
Citing a pair of Biden administration officials, the Times reported that the extra doses may be offered as soon as a month from now and that the first shots would go to health care workers and residents of nursing homes, and then to other older Americans — much like how the initial vaccinations were administered.
The Associated Press corroborated the Times’ report, saying that the widespread booster shots would coincide with Food and Drug Administration formally approving vaccines, which have undergone rigorous study but currently are being administered through emergency use authorizations. Pfizer’s vaccine is expected to gain that approval in the coming weeks.
The booster shots could be officially announced later this week and reflect the belief that extra doses will be needed to better protect Americans from the virus’ more-contagious delta variant, which has fueled a surge in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks.
People would likely receive the same type of vaccine as in their initial inoculations, the Times reported.
Last week, U.S. health officials recommended booster shots for people with weakened immune systems.
For months, officials have said data indicated that people remain highly protected from COVID-19, including the delta variant, after receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna regimens or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. But U.S. health officials made clear Sunday they are preparing for the possibility that the time for boosters may come sooner than later.
“There is a concern that the vaccine may start to wane in its effectiveness,” said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. “And delta is a nasty one for us to try to deal with.”
The White House has previously said there is enough domestic supply of vaccines to deliver booster shots to Americans should they be recommended by health officials.