Philadelphia Health Officials Explain Plan For Distributing Booster Shots Following US Recommendation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia health officials explained their plan for distributing booster shots during a press conference on Wednesday morning. This comes as U.S. health officials recommend all Americans get a COVID-19 booster shot after eight months of receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
"Our plan, should the CDC proceed with that recommendation, would be to utilize our existing network of vaccine providers to give those additional shots. We'll follow the CDC's lead in terms of the specific groups for whom boosters will be recommended," Acting Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said.
Bettigole also said she is concerned that long-term care staffers are declining to get vaccinated.
She said more than a dozen facilities in the city have less than 50% of their staff vaccinated. Adding that healthcare workers who do not get the shots should find another line of work.
The entire Philadelphia region is showing substantial or high levels of COVID-19 transmission.
On Wednesday morning, U.S. health officials announced recommendations for all Americans to get COVID-19 booster shots beginning in September. The plan calls for booster shots eight months after people get their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Officials say people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will probably need a booster shot as well, though they are waiting for more data.
