Centers for Disease Control director Rochelle Walensky confirmed this week that the organization may change the definition of “Fully Vaccinated” against COVID as boosters become available to the general public.
“The CDC and the FDA have officially approved boosters with every authorized vaccine in the U.S. for people who meet specific requirements. Walensky explained that since not everyone is eligible for a booster, the definition has not been changed ‘yet,’” reports Axios.
"We have not yet changed the definition of 'fully vaccinated.' We will continue to look at this. We may need to update our definition of 'fully vaccinated' in the future," Walensky said during a press briefing.
"If you're eligible for a booster, go ahead and get your booster," she added.
The new guidelines come as the UK adds a new “rare nerve disorder” to its list of potential side effects associated with the COVID vaccine.
The country claims the injections from AstraZenica and Pfizer led to the development of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) — a disease that could cause paralysis — in more than 400 people.
“Following the most recent review of the available data the evidence of a possible association has strengthened,” a press release from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency stated.
“Therefore, following advice from the government’s independent advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and its COVID-19 Vaccines Benefit Risk Expert Working Group, the product information for the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca was further updated to include GBS in the tabulated list of adverse reactions associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine and to encourage healthcare professionals and the public to look out for signs of GBS.”
“The agency said it received 432 reports of GBS possibly related to the AstraZenica vaccine, and 26 reports of a similar condition called Miller Fisher Syndrome. The Pfizer vaccine had 59 reports of GBS,” reports Yahoo News.
Read the full report at Axios.
