Factbox-Who can get a COVID booster in the US?

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By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopted recommendations last week from its advisory panel on vaccines, signaling official guidance for pharmacists and patients who have been waiting for clarity on the updated COVID-19 shots. 

Prior to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation to allow the vaccine with new restrictions, states including Georgia, Utah and Louisiana were only giving the shots to those with a prescription. Here’s what you need to know:

WHO DOES THE CDC RECOMMEND FOR COVID BOOSTERS?

Individuals aged 6 months and older can receive the COVID vaccine after consulting a provider, which includes pharmacists, doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals. The CDC calls this shared clinical decision-making.

In May, the COVID vaccine was removed from the CDC’s immunization schedule for healthy pregnant women, drawing criticism from medical organizations. The CDC adoption of its advisory panel’s recommendation to allow the shots under shared clinical decision-making somewhat reverses that earlier hurdle, as it includes pregnant women.

WHAT DID THE FDA APPROVAL SAY?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August restricted the vaccine to all people aged 65 and older and for people aged 6 months through 64 years with conditions that put them at high risk for severe disease. The agency had previously identified qualifying conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, as high risk.

However, pharmacists and health plans receive their official immunization guidance on administering and covering the shots not from the FDA but from the CDC director, whose decisions are largely informed by the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

ACIP has traditionally consisted of independent vaccine experts, but longtime anti-vaccine campaigner and now Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gutted that advisory group and replaced it with hand-picked members. 

ARE PHARMACIES GIVING BOOSTER SHOTS THIS YEAR?

Yes, pharmacies are providing the shots, but industry organizations have described reduced supply at independent pharmacies where COVID immunizations may be slowing. As of last week, chain pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens have said customers can receive the vaccine without a prescription nationwide.

DO SOME PEOPLE STILL NEED A PRESCRIPTION?

Following the CDC’s adoption of updated guidance last week, people should not need a prescription to receive the COVID vaccine. All patients are approved under shared clinical decision-making, and pharmacists can act as healthcare providers and consult patients seeking the shots.

(Reporting by Amina NiasseEditing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot)