Although the debate on who is eligible for booster shots was on for more than four weeks, a list of eligible adults has been prepared. Statements from Presidential Biden, governors, pharmacies and the CDC head are out encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine dose. On Friday, President Biden said that about 60 million Americans are eligible or will be eligible to get a shot soon.

Advisors at the Centers said Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had presented a truncated list of adults eligible for a booster show but Dr. Rochelle Walensky, expanded the list that is aligned to recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration. The current list of eligible adults is:

• Adults aged 65 and above
• Nursing home and assisted living facilities’ residents
• Adults between 18-64 years with an underlying medical condition
• Adults between 18-64 years who face increased risks due to occupations or institutional settings.

The underlying medical conditions that qualify for a booster shot include

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• COPD
• High blood pressure
• Overweight or Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking disorders
• Substance abuse disorders.

Those who are considered to have an increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19 include those who work in-person that is still a fairly large percentage of the American population. Some of them could include

• Healthcare workers
• Teachers
• Grocery store workers
• Workers at airports and large transportation hub

The Pfizer-BioNTech shot has been administered to over 100 million people across the nation. A huge chunk of this vaccinated population will soon be eligible for a booster shot. As of now, only Pfizer’s booster shot has received emergency use approval from the FDA.

Although Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s booster shots have not as yet received approval, it is not a worrisome factor as the Pfizer shot lost a lot of efficacy in six months, according to compiled data, while the Moderna efficacy fell by only one percent.