States rush ahead of feds on boosters

Faced with rising coronavirus infections, some states are pushing ahead of the federal government and making booster shots available to anyone who wants one, turbocharging the rollout in hopes of blunting a potential winter spike. 

This week, Colorado Gov. Jared PolisJared Schutz PolisThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Appeals court delays Trump document ruling; Biden to meet Xi Overnight Health Care — Presented by Rare Access Action Project — Advocates push Congress to boost pandemic preparedness funds Colorado governor allowing all adults to get vaccine boosters MORE (D) signed an executive order declaring everyone over the age of 18 eligible for a booster dose. Hospitals in the state are once again full of COVID-19 patients, and officials are scrambling to slow the spread of the virus before winter.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 45 percent of fully vaccinated adults 65 and older in Colorado have received a booster shot.  

In California, where cases are also rising, health officials are encouraging boosters for everyone who has been vaccinated for at least six months. Only about 34 percent of people over age 65 have received a booster in the state. 

“If you think you will benefit from getting a booster shot, I encourage you to go out and get it,” California Health Secretary Mark Ghaly said during a press conference. 

New Mexico also opened boosters to all adults on Friday amid a surge in cases that has overwhelmed hospitals in the state.

“I strongly encourage every New Mexican to register for a booster today — we have appointments available and are ready to get shots in arms,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamMichelle Lynn Lujan GrishamNew Mexico governor eyeing stricter safety protocols for productions after ‘Rust’ shooting Democrats lean into vaccine mandates ahead of midterms Hochul makes New York the 31st state to have had a female governor MORE (D) said in a statement.

The current federal guidance for boosters is fairly broad — the people who should get a booster are those over age 65 and anyone at high risk because of work, where they live or those with an underlying medical condition.   

Vaccine providers are not supposed to ask questions or turn anyone away, relying on self-attestation for eligibility. Still, the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC stopped short of recommending boosters for everyone, which puts Colorado and California at odds with federal guidance.

Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said federal health officials haven’t been clear. 

Chaotic and at times disparate messaging from administration health officials over the past two months culminated in a complicated set of recommendations about who should be getting booster shots and why. 

“We have the CDC director saying one thing, [Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care — Presented by Rare Access Action Project — Pfizer wants boosters for everyone Cheney challenger serving as co-counsel in lawsuit against Biden vaccine mandate Pfizer asks FDA to authorize booster shot for all…