COVID-19 Vaccines in the USA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued three Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines. First, the U.S. FDA Approved the mRNA Comirnaty Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on August 23, 2021. The FDA continues Authorizing Modern'a mRNA vaccine SpikeVax and Janssen from Johnson & Johnson.
The U.S. CDC reported on December 6, 2021, about 60% of the U.S. population had been fully vaccinated with an Approve/Authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
Also, on December 6, 2021, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 66.4% of Europe had been fully vaccinated. In Europe, the European Medicines Agency has Authorized four COVID-19 vaccines and is reviewing five other vaccines. Globally, over 120 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are undergoing clinical trials reported GAVI.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Authorizations
As of December 2021, most people are now eligible for a third (booster) vaccination after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-Authorized or Approved COVID-19 vaccine, says the CDC and FDA. And, those who completed an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 2-dose primary series and received an additional mRNA vaccine (3rd) dose may receive a single COVID-19 booster (4th) dose (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Janssen) at least six months after completing their third mRNA vaccine dose, says the CDC. And eligible children can receive reduced dosages of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, when turning 12 years old, they should receive the total adult dosage.
NOTES:
COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent mild symptoms, severe disease, and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 disease. But it is still possible for a fully vaccinated person to become infected (Breakthrough Case) if exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus. Visit these webpages for news regarding Coronavirus, Immunity, Testing, and Travel.
Search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you in the USA.
And, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a passive reporting system, meaning it relies on individuals to send in reports of their experiences. Anyone can submit a vaccine side effect report to VAERS, including parents and patients.
