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Booster dose for all COVID-19 vaccines now authorized and recommended
Coronavirus breaking news

On Wednesday, the Federal Drug Administration authorized a single dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for adults over 65 years, adults 18-64 at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, and adults 18-64 that have occupational or residential high risk for COVID-19 due to exposure who completed a primary two-dose series of Moderna at least six months prior. The FDA also authorized a booster dose of the Janssen/Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 years and older who completed a single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months prior. In addition, the FDA authorized the use of a different approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine brand or type for anyone eligible for a boost dose.

On Friday, Oct. 22, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice (ACIP) voted 15-0 to recommend the Moderna 50 microgram (half dose) booster dose for adults 18 and older at least 6 months after the second dose of the primary series for the same risk groups recommended for the Pfizer booster: “A single COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is recommended greater than or equal to 6 months after completion of an mRNA primary series, in the same risk groups for whom CDC recommended a booster of Pfizer-BioNTech, under FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.” In a second vote, the ACIP voted 15-0 to recommend the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson booster dose for all adults 18 and older who received the J&J primary series at least 2 months after the initial dose: “A single COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is recommended for persons aged 18 years and older, greater than or equal to 2 months after receipt of the initial Janssen dose, under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.”

Upon review of the ACIP recommendations, the CDC Director, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH issued the following recommendations:

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older

• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings

• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions

• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For all people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.


Kansas statistics

As of 9 a.m. Friday, Kansas has had 428,816 COVID-19 cases, resulting in 14,604 hospitalizations and 6,211 deaths statewide. There were 1,893 new cases, 83 new hospitalizations and 26 new deaths reported since Wednesday, Oct. 20. There were no new area deaths.

Here are the total area cases as of 9 a.m. Friday, and the change from Wednesday, Oct. 20:

• Barton 3,844 (+34)

• Ellsworth 1,383 (+16)

• Pawnee 1,461 (+10)

• Rice 1,446 (+7)

• Rush 504 (+0)

• Russell 1,120 (+20)

• Stafford 583 (+19)