September 27, 2021 3:40 a.m.  

The Western States Scientific Review Workgroup has recommended a booster dose of the Phizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months after their primary vaccination series for people older than 65 and those at higher risk for severe illness for COVID-19.

A release from Governor Kate Brown’s office said the workgroup provided its confirmation to the governors of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington on Friday.

The workgroup recommended that these groups of people who received the Pfizer vaccine should receive a booster dose of the Phizer vaccine after six months:

*People 65 and older

*People living in a long-term care facility and

*People age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions

In addition, it was recommended that these groups of people ages 18-64 who received the Phizer vaccine may also receive a booster dose of the Philzer vaccine after six months:

*People with underlying medical conditions and

*People who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to the occupational or institutional setting.

Recognizing that only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have been authorized for booster doses, the workgroup implored the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly provide solutions to sustain the protection of the most vulnerable individuals who have received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.