California Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials said all fully vaccinated adults in the state can get COVID-19 boosters if they are eligible, according to NPR.
The officials advised health care providers not to deny booster shots to adult patients, allowing boosters to millions of residents across California.
CDPH Director Tomás J. Aragón said in the letter, “Do not turn a patient away who is requesting a booster. Allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure.”
California residents who are 18 and above are now eligible for a COVID booster six months after getting their two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after their single-dose Johnson & Johnson jab.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends boosters for people who are 65 and older and for those who are 18 and older if they are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, “These recommendations are another example of our fundamental commitment to protect as many people as possible from COVID-19.”
The agency said, in California, less than 40% of fully vaccinated adults aged 65 and above have received a booster dose, while only 14% of fully vaccinated adults 18 and older in the state have received a booster shot.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California Health and Human Services Agency, said in a news conference, “If you think you will benefit from getting a booster shot, I encourage you to go out and get it.”
Meanwhile, Colorado has been expanding eligibility criteria for boosters. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order that will allow all adults in the state to get a COVID-19 booster.
Polis said, “The health and safety of Coloradans has been my top priority throughout this global pandemic. We want to ensure that Coloradans have every tool they need to protect themselves from this deadly virus and to help reduce the stress on our hospitals and health care workers.”
Dr. Eric France, Chief Medical Officer of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is urging state residents aged 18 and above to get a COVID vaccine booster dose six months after receiving either Pfizer or Moderna and two months after receiving the J&J vaccine.
