According to someone familiar with the matter, the Biden administration is looking into a plan that would allow adults to receive a second Covid booster shot.
According to the person, the plan was prompted by concerns expressed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical advisor, and other high-ranking Biden administration officials regarding the current increase in hospitalizations due to the highly contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4 or BA.5, according the person.
White House Covid Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha didn't confirm that the administration would adopt such an approach during Tuesday's briefing, but stated that federal health officials had been talking about the possibility of offering boosters to all adults for "for awhile."
Jha stated that they have constant conversations about how to protect Americans. He said that such decisions were ultimately up to the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As the number of covid hospitalizations has been increasing modestly in the United States, as subvariants continue making up a larger proportion of new cases,
BA.4 (and BA.5) -- the most contagious forms to date of the virus -- accounted for more than 80% in new Covid cases in the U.S. during the week ending July 9, according the CDC.
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The Washington Post reported first that the administration was considering a second booster. The White House did no immediate respond to a request for comment.
According to the person, the plan is not finalized yet and could be modified. Jha also pointed out that any changes would need to be approved by the FDA or CDC.
In late March, federal health regulators approved a second Covid booster to be given to people 50 years and older. This was in response to an increase in cases due the earlier omicron subvariant called BA.
According to CDC data, only 30% of those eligible for a second booster received it.
Experts said that health officials might have difficulty convincing people to get another booster due to the low number of Covid cases and hospitalizations.
Jha stated that a booster is available for those who are eligible. This would not prevent them from receiving another shot this fall or winter, which may be targeted at BA.4 or BA.5.
Jha stated, "For people over 50 years old, my message is simple." "If you haven't had a vaccination shot in the past year, get one."
