The next step for California after the FDA approves Pfizer boosters
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) On Wednesday afternoon, the green light was given and millions of American’s are now one step closer to getting the COVID- 19 booster, but there are still a few hurdles to overcome before the booster rollout can begin.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer booster dose for seniors, those at high risk or who have underlying health conditions, and those in jobs that put them at high risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Now, it’s up to the state on how to move forward.
The FDA may have put their stamp of approval on the COVID-19 Pfizer booster dose, many questions remain, about who should get it and when. Though there are uncertainties still looming, The California Department of Public Health along with other state health agencies released a statement this afternoon. In short, it reads:
"Vaccines are safe and effective, and they’re how we end this pandemic. That’s why California supports our federal partners. CDPH is working with local partners and health care providers to ensure California is ready to immediately begin administering booster doses to eligible Californians once these recommendations have been made."
However, it might be a month before those recommendations are put in place. With more evidence needed for the booster, the CDC has held off on a decision. The FDA's approval to back the Pfizer COVID-19 booster comes the same day Monterey County held a media briefing, at one point discussing local case rates.
“Case rates are decreasing in the county. They're also decreasing in the region and decreasing across California. I just want to just emphasize that we're looking at our trends, really focusing on the trends, not day-to-day changes or day-to-day fluctuations," Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer.
Dr. Moreno mentioned during the meeting that the team looks at these rates every week. However,
even with decreasing trends, this week there has been an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations according to Monterey County’s Weekly update.
The booster approval is just for the Pfizer vaccine. For those who had Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, it was not recommended to receive a booster of a different brand. Reporting from the Digital Operations Center Erika Bratten KION NEWS CHANNEL 5, 46.
