Fully Vaccinated Americans Do Not Need COVID-19 Booster Shots

The United States is fortunate to have highly effective vaccines that are widely available for those aged 12 and up, stated the U.S. CDC and FDA in a joint statement regarding COVID-19 vaccine boosters on July 8, 2021.

'People who are fully vaccinated are protected from severe disease and death, including from the variants currently circulating in the country such as Delta. However, people who are not vaccinated remain at risk.'

'Virtually all COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are among those who are unvaccinated. Therefore, we encourage Americans who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their community.'

Therefore, 'Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time.'

The FDA, CDC, and the US National Institutes of Health are engaged in a science-based, rigorous process to consider whether or when a booster might be necessary. This process considers laboratory data, clinical trial data, and cohort data – which can include data from specific pharmaceutical companies but does not rely on those data exclusively.

'We continue to review any new data as it becomes available and will keep the public informed. In addition, we are prepared for booster doses if and when the science demonstrates that they are needed,' concluded this statement.