The following statement is attributable to:
Gerald E. Harmon, M.D.
President, American Medical Association

“The AMA applauds the actions taken by the FDA and CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to make booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines available to any adult who may need one. We believe the FDA’s authorization and the ACIP's recommendations in support of booster doses for all adults will help provide continued protection against COVID-19 as we head into the winter months. Data presented today showed that adverse events following mRNA booster doses are similar to or lower than those seen after the primary vaccine series.

“The scientific evidence is clear that the vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and remain effective. We continue to strongly urge everyone who has not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and is eligible, including children aged 5 and older and pregnant people, to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones. We also encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated against flu to get their flu vaccine. We are seeing increases in flu activity that could mark the beginning of influenza season. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.

“Anyone with questions about the vaccines should speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.”

The recommendations voted on today specifically allow booster doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for anyone 18 and older, at least six months after completion of the primary vaccination series based on individual benefit and risk. The ACIP also voted today to recommend that all persons aged 50 and older—who completed their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series at least six months ago—should receive a booster dose. Previous recommendations support a booster dose of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals 18 years of age and older who were vaccinated with a single J&J dose two or more months ago.