C.D.C. Urges Adults 50 and Older to Get Second Booster Shot

[Eugene]

Source: New York Times

C.D.C. Urges Adults 50 and Older to Get Second Booster Shot

2 hours ago
Sharon LaFraniere

In a sign of growing concern among federal health officials about the spread of new coronavirus infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now saying that all people 50 or older should get a second booster shot if at least four months have passed since their first booster dose.

Previously, the agency said those 50 and older had the option of the additional shot, but only encouraged people over 65 or with underlying medical conditions to get it. The new guidance, issued in a statement on the C.D.C.’s website on Thursday, also extends to anyone 12 and older with certain immune deficiencies.

The C.D.C. said it was changing its advice because of a steady rise in infections over the past month, coupled with “a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans.” New confirmed cases surpassed an average of 100,000 a day again this week, according to a New York Times database — a number considered an undercount. And nationally, hospitalizations of people with Covid-19 were averaging more than 23,800 a day as of Thursday, 31 percent more than two weeks ago.

Most Americans 50 or older received their last dose of Covid vaccine more than six months ago. That has left “many who are vulnerable without the protection they may need to prevent severe disease, hospitalization and death,” the C.D.C. said.

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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/20/us/politics/cdc-second-booster.html

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[hlthe2b]

1. NOTE to the severely immunocompromised. You are eligible for a fifth dose if 4 months after

your last booster. i.e., immunocompromised series consists of your first THREE (not two) doses, your fourth is your first booster and if it has been at least four months since the latter, then you DO qualify for an additional dose. I have had to intercede with pharmacists/pharmacies and other locales on behalf of immunocompromised patients REPEATEDLY on this because they are either not up-to-date in following CDC-ACIP guidelines, are confused by them, or have somehow failed to go beyond the general guidelines (for otherwise healthy adults).

Here is the pertinent section from the CDC-ACIP guidelines which you can go to and print out if you are refused the dose. I am frustrated because they should be following more closely and I have now provided a handout to a lot of these really severely immunocompromised cancer or transplant patients and others.

Here is the important citation: (scroll down the page for immunocompromised)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html

† People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can choose to receive a 2nd booster (5th dose) of an mRNA vaccine at least 4 months after their first booster. Teens ages 12–17 years may only get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster.

[VarryOn]

2. I had a telemedicine appt with my GP today...

after testing positive for COVID for the first time a couple days ago. My wife and I were in the Caribbean on vacation last week, and I'm guessing I picked it up at the very small and yet crowded airport in Providenciales on our return home. I also traveled for work early in the week, so that's a possiblity, too.

My GP said he had seen an uptick in cases the last two weeks. Out of 96 casis in the 4-doctor clinic over the last two weeks, only two required hospitalization. He said those two were unvaccinated. Thankfully, he said they only needed oxygen and were going to be ok.

But, he encouraged me to get my second booster as soon as I recover from my current bout.

[a kennedy]

3. Damn right.....got my second on Wednesday, arm is still a tad sore, but damn......

so happy I got it..... I am getting a total knee replacement Aug 3rd...I have to have a Covid test on July 31st. 🤞 hope i’m free of covid and test negative, or I won’t be able to get the surgery.

[captain queeg]

4. It seems that many are getting covid whether they are vaxxed or not

But also seems to be less severe, especially those who are vaxxed. My son just tested positive, he’s vaxxed and boosted. So far he says he just has a cough. No doubt got it from his girlfriend who apparently is pretty sick. She works in some kind of covid testing center.

[Alliepoo]

5. Mr Poo and I got ours on May 1st

Along with our first dose of Shingrix. Other than a sore arm from the shingrix it was fine. Also still wearing masks when out shopping. I don’t want to catch that crap.