The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved single booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for certain individuals under emergency use authorization (EUA) on Sept. 22.
This authorization only applies to individuals over the age of 65, those 18 to 64-years-old with underlying health conditions that put them at high risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms and those who are put at high risk due to frequent exposure.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the majority of the FDA’s decision, but disagreed with giving the booster shot to those who are at risk of breakthrough cases due to frequent exposure at places of employment.
President Joe Biden received a booster shot on Monday, Sept. 27th, in front of members of the press.
“Like I did in my first and second COVID-19 vaccination shot, I’m about to get my booster shot and do it publicly,” the president stated. “That’s because the Food and Drug Administration — the FDA — the Center for Disease Control and Prevention — the CDC — looked at all the data, completed their review, and determined that boosters for the Pfizer vaccine… are safe and effective.”
He continued his remarks by showing his confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines and continuing to pressure the nation to get vaccinated.
“Let me be clear:” Biden said, “Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated.”
As of now, the University of Denver has not stated anything regarding whether or not DU students will be expected to receive the booster shot, though if a student falls under any of the previously mentioned categories, they will be eligible.
As of Sept. 27, 64.5% of the U.S. population has at least one dose of the vaccine, while 55.5% of the nation has both. In Colorado, 59.1% of the state is fully vaccinated, while the neighborhoods surrounding DU average 69.5% with at least the first dose.
Despite the approval of a booster dose, it is clear that the vaccine is working. Areas with lower vaccination rates continue to face much higher rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19, and areas with higher vaccination rates are keeping hospitalization rates low.
“Comirnaty,” the official name for Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine, was fully approved by the FDA on Aug. 25, 2021. Neither the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been given full approval.
