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Foundation For A Healthy Kentucky President Pleased With Expanded COVID Booster Eligibility

Associated Press

The Director of the CDC has added people with risky jobs to the list of those eligible for a Pfizer COVID booster shot. It’s welcome news by health leaders in Kentucky. A panel of CDC advisers said boosters should be offered to people 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 to 64 who have risky underlying health problems. They did not include people who have jobs with high contacts to possible COVID carriers like frontline medical workers and teachers. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky wanted those groups added and signed off on it late Thursday.

Ben Chandler, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky called it the right move to “prioritize at-risk Americans of all types for the booster shot.”

“I’m glad that they did it,” Chandler said. He added, “Of course I would actually just assume they go ahead and approve the shots for everybody, but I think they’re trying to of course make sure that there are enough shots available for everybody and that the vulnerable people get them first. The boosters I think are going to be useful. They’ll be helpful. People need to get them and of course, that will give them even further protection.”

Chandler said that the decision shows the “data is clear that the booster is safe and provides enhanced protection.” The extra dose would be given to those who have already gotten the Pfizer vaccine, six months after they received their second dose.