Biden administration to begin rolling out booster shots the week of Sept. 20

The Biden administration is prepared to begin rolling out booster shots for many Americans the week of Sept. 20, the nation's top health officials announced Wednesday.

The Biden administration is prepared to begin rolling out booster shots for many Americans the week of Sept. 20, the nation's top health officials announced Wednesday, citing data that show the effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 diminishes over time. In a joint statement by the US Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others, the officials cited the threat of the delta variant and noted "we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease." The recommendation will be that a person get a booster shot eight months after their second shot, with health care workers, nursing home residents and seniors first in line. "Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout," the officials wrote. "For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability."