As the threat of new variants hovers over the United States population, the vaccines drive is also triggered to ensure better safety for the citizens of the US. Most of the kids of 16-17 years are on their way to get their second dose of the vaccines and the question keeps popping up that “Do teenagers and other kids will need booster shots or not?
Booster Shots Get Emergency Approval For 16 And 17 Year Olds!
Many medical researchers were arguing that children are very much prone to the new omicron variant and the Federal government must take some serious steps to safeguard their lives.
Covid-19 vaccines were approved for all adults last year during the month of December, while the vaccination eligibility for teenagers was approved later when the delta variant hit the nation drastically. The kids of age 12-15 were allowed to take the vaccines after May 2021. While The US CDC approved the vaccines for the age group between 5-11 in the month of October 2021 and parents showed a positive intent towards this approval.
Now after the omicron variant has hit the United States with some numbers, the health agencies started demanding to expand booster shot eligibility further for the teenagers between 16-17 years as for the adults of 18 and above age were already given the approval to receive the booster shots.
It has been applauded by various medical experts that the booster shots worked as a game-changer in these crucial times. Covid-19 booster shots are effective and can strengthen the immunity after the covid-19 vaccines start to warn out.
Also, The US FDA had already stated that the effectiveness of vaccines is diminishing after certain months of receiving the initial dose of vaccination and if we want to fight against a deadly virus like Covid-19, it’s essential to keep immunity strong.
As per the sources, the current situation is demanding the booster shot approval for the 16-17 years teenagers and today FDA gave a green signal to Pfizer and Moderna boosters.
The eligibility criteria to receive a booster shot by any adult of 18 years and above must be fulfilled which include, the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer must have been taken at least 6 months ago and one shot of Johnson & Johnson at least two months ago.
Also, the FDA also found that the booster shots can be taken irrespective of the vaccination. “Booster Vaccines can be mixed and doesn’t have any adverse effects on the individual” FDA said. It indicates that the individual with the Pfizer vaccine can take Moderna’s booster shot and vice versa. It will become easy to immunize people nationwide.
Initially, the booster shots were approved for all adults above 65 years of age. Later, when the cases in the US witnessed a huge surge the booster shots were approved on an emergency basis for adults between the ages of 18 to 64. Although, The CDC asked the medical authorities to focus more on adults above 50 years of age as the immunity power reduces with time in this age group.
