Experts urge order amid COVID booster craze
Little policing in place to ensure third shots go to intended people
COVID-19 boosters are now available to millions of Americans who fall into certain broad categories and want greater protection from the coronavirus.
While many are relieved boosters are finally here, there’s little policing to ensure third shots go to the intended people. Health experts say some people who don’t meet the requirements are ignoring official guidelines and seeking third shots.
“Right now, it’s been the Wild West. I know people are going out and helping themselves to all kinds of things and basically lying to do so,” said Dr. Camille Kotton, an infectious disease expert at Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a CDC advisory group. “We really want to make sure that things proceed as safely and in the best way possible, so we encourage people to follow the rules.”
The third jabs are only available to recommended groups who got their second dose of the Pfizer-biontech vaccine at least six months ago. Those groups are: people 65 years and older; residents in long-term care settings and people 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. People 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions and people 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting also may receive a booster.
As per CDC guidance, hospitals and pharmacies are relying on patients to “self-attest” their eligibility as defined by the guidelines to help “reduce barriers to access for these select populations.”
When scheduling an appointment with CVS, patients are asked to provide the manufacturer and date of their COVID-19 vaccine, according to a company release. A similar strategy is being used at Walgreens.
“Ultimately, we are focused on removing barriers and improving access to potentially life-saving vaccines,” said Walgreens corporate spokeswoman Rebekah Pajak.
While it may improve access to vaccines, it also leaves room for people to be dishonest.
Experts warn these people could be increasing their risk for severe side effects, especially when combining the Pfizer-biontech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
One such rare side effect linked to the MRNA vaccines and mostly seen in younger adults is myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. Although there’s no evidence of this so far, experts worry combining vaccines and taking extra doses outside of CDC recommendations could increase risk of developing the extremely rare condition.