CDC - CDC Urges Second COVID-19 Vaccine Dose For Elderly Americans Amid Rising Hospitalizations | Benzinga
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended a second annual COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 65 and above. This decision comes in the wake of a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations among older Americans.
What Happened: The CDC’s Advisory Committee For Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 11-1 in favor of a second annual COVID-19 shot for older Americans, reported Reuters. This recommendation was supported by CDC Director Mandy Cohen on Wednesday.
The ACIP’s decision follows a notable rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations among individuals aged 65 and above, accounting for more than half of all hospitalizations from October to December. The CDC has estimated that around 22% of U.S. adults have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-24 vaccination season, with nearly 42% of those being 65 or older.
Director Mandy Cohen emphasized the vulnerability of older adults to COVID-19, stating that “Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were ...