Adults 50 and up urged to get booster

In a sign of growing concern among federal health officials about the spread of new coronavirus infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now saying that all people 50 or older should get a second booster shot if at least four months have passed since their first booster dose.

Previously, the agency said those 50 and older had the option of the additional shot but only encouraged people older than 65 or with underlying medical conditions to get it. The new guidance, issued in a statement on the CDC’s website Thursday, also extends to anyone 12 and older with certain immune deficiencies.

The CDC said it was changing its advice because of a steady rise in infections over the past month, coupled with “a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans.” And nationally, hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 were averaging more than 23,800 daily as of Thursday, 31% more than two weeks ago.

Most Americans 50 or older received their last dose of COVID vaccine more than six months ago. That has left “many who are vulnerable without the protection,” the CDC said.

In another warning of growing COVID risks, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the agency’s director, said Friday that more that 45% of Americans now live in areas where transmission rates are high enough that they should at least consider wearing a mask in indoor public settings.