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CDC Newsroom

CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to
All Adults
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Friday, November 19, 2021
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices’ (ACIP) expanded recommendations for booster shots to include all adults ages 18 years and older who received
a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose.
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC’s recommendation for use are critical next steps
forward in our country’s booster program – a program which will help provide increased protection against COVID-19
disease and death.
CDC continues to encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to
protect themselves, their families, loved ones and communities. We also strongly encourage those who were already
eligible –­ older populations and individuals with underlying medical conditions ­– to get boosted before the holidays.
Anyone can find available vaccines near them at vaccines.gov and can consult their health care provider or local
pharmacist if they have questions about vaccines or boosters.
The following is attributable to Dr. Walensky:
“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the
latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19
primary vaccine series and booster. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection
against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the
virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable
access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or
preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing
health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.
Page last reviewed: November 19, 2021