CDC recommends updated Covid vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and up, allowing shots to start within days

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday recommended that all Americans ages 6 months and older receive updated Covid shots from Pfizer and Moderna, clearing the way for Americans to start receiving the shots within days.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen signed off on a recommendation formed by an independent panel of advisors to the agency earlier Tuesday. The first doses of the new shots will be available at some locations within the next 48 hours, according to the CDC.

“We have more tools than ever to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19,” Cohen said in a statement. “CDC is now recommending updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to better protect you and your loved ones.”

Thirteen CDC advisors voted in favor of the “universal” recommendation for Americans during the panel’s meeting Tuesday, while one voted against it.

“I think that it’s clear that vaccination is going to prevent serious illness and death across all age groups. It is a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Dr. Beth Bell, clinical professor at the University of Washington and member of the panel, during the advisory meeting. “And so, for that reason, I favor the universal recommendation.”

Dr. Pablo Sanchez, a professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University, voted against the recommendation due to “limited data” on children, infants and other populations, while noting he is “not against this vaccine.”

The advisory panel’s recommendation comes a day after the Food and Drug Administration approved the two mRNA jabs, which are designed to target the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. An updated shot from Novavax, which uses protein-based technology, is still under review by the agency. 

The FDA approved Pfizer and Moderna’s new vaccines for people 12 and older. The agency authorized…