An influential government advisory panel has recommended that older Americans, specifically those aged 65 and above, should receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine shot, even if they had already received a booster in the fall. The panel voted 11-1 in favor of this recommendation, suggesting that individuals in this age group should get the updated vaccine if at least four months have passed since their last dose.
The decision to recommend another booster shot for older adults comes after a thorough discussion among experts regarding the necessity of additional doses and concerns about vaccine fatigue among the public. While some doctors argue that the fall booster shot provides sufficient protection for most older adults, studies have shown no significant decline in vaccine effectiveness over six months.
However, it is important to note that vaccine-induced immunity tends to diminish over time, particularly in seniors, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Given that older individuals have the highest hospitalization and death rates related to the virus, health experts emphasize the importance of additional vaccination.
The updated vaccine, which targets a specific variant of the coronavirus known as XBB.1.5, was recommended by the CDC in September for individuals aged 6 months and older. Despite this recommendation, vaccination rates remain relatively low, with only 13% of children and 22% of adults in the U.S. having received the shots.
While concerns about vaccine fatigue and over-recommendation exist, experts stress the importance of protecting those at higher risk of severe illness and death. Data suggests that individuals who received the latest COVID-19 vaccine are 50% less likely to fall ill after exposure to the virus compared to those who did not receive the fall shot.
As the CDC considers endorsing the advisory panel's recommendation for older adults to receive another COVID-19 shot, the ongoing efforts to combat the pandemic underscore the importance of vaccination in protecting public health.
