Bottom Line On COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters: Who? What? When? How?

NEW YORK – The CDC is set to talk COVID-19 vaccines Friday after millions of Americans got the green light overnight to get a third dose.

The FDA decided people with compromised immune systems would benefit from another dose, specifically solid organ transplant recipients or people with an equivalent level of immunocompromise.

Booster shots for others who are vaccinated are expected to follow as medical experts assess data from other countries like Israel, the U.K. and Canada; along with data from the U.S., including vaccine trials.

“We’re going to be ready to do it whenever the data shows that the protection is gone below a certain level,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the NIAID and Chief Medical Advisor to the President.

Just like third doses, the FDA would authorize boosters and the CDC would vote on whether to recommend them. Then they’d likely be available at pharmacies and doctors’ offices.