Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for some specific groups of people. After reviewing the federal process, a group of West Coast scientists is now signing off on the recommendation as well.
The FDA on Wednesday greenlit booster shots for Americans who are 65 years and older and those that are at higher risk for COVID-19. The following day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee agreed with that decision and also recommended that people at higher risk of getting the virus "due to occupational or institutional settings" be eligible as well.
The booster dose would be administered at least six months after a completed vaccine series.
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup says it has reviewed those decisions and endorsed them Friday morning. The workgroup concurred that boosters should be available to: those 65 and older, people living in long-term care facilities, and people 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.
Additionally, the workgroup proposed expanding eligibility to the following groups of people between the ages of 18 to 64: those with underlying health conditions and those who are at higher risk of contracting the virus due to "occupational or institutional" settings.
The Workgroup strongly endorsed the CDC’s recognition that long-standing health and social inequities have increased the risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and recommended that social determinants of vulnerability be included in the assessment of medical conditions that qualify individuals for booster doses.
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup is composed of scientists in the fields of immunization and public health. The group has been following the developments of COVID-19 vaccines in the US since October of 2020, reviewing each federal decision before making recommendations to West Coast governors.
With the recommendation from the workgroup on Friday, governors from Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada shared statements in support.
Statement from Oregon Governor Kate Brown:
"COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccination continues to be our path out of this pandemic. Seniors who have received the Pfizer vaccine, as well as Oregonians who have underlying health conditions, live in long-term care facilities, or who are at higher risk due to occupational or institutional setting will now be able to receive the additional layer of protection provided by a booster shot. Everyone eligible who wants a booster will get one, and I'm committed to ensuring our most vulnerable Oregonians are protected from COVID-19, including those who are at higher risk due to systemic health and social inequities. I’d like to thank Oregonians for their patience as boosters become available while our hospitals and health care workers continue to respond to the ongoing Delta surge."
Statement from Washington Governor Jay Inslee:
“Vaccines work and I am pleased that the Western State Group is taking this step in endorsing boosters for those who are most vulnerable. We need to protect Washingtonians most at risk for severe COVID illness. Providing boosters will help keep our residents safe and allow us to have an added layer of protection as cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise in our state. I am pleased that we are focusing on all of those at the greatest risk, including those who face inequities in our system. Together, vaccinations will get us out of the COVID pandemic.”