Home care providers were pleased after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday signed off on a third Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot for people 65 and older and people at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
“NAHC fully supports the CDC’s decision on booster shots for seniors and healthcare workers,” a spokesman for the National Association for Home Care & Hospice said Friday afternoon. “We expect providers of care in the home to have an important role in getting boosters to seniors and the disabled who are homebound. NAHC stands ready to assist in any way we can to help administer safe and effective vaccines to America’s most vulnerable population.”
The CDC sided with the Food and Drug Administration, which last week endorsed the booster shot for older adults and healthcare workers. An advisory body to the CDC did not recommend giving booster shots to healthcare workers. Besides seniors and healthcare workers, the CDC recommended the third shot for long-term care residents and people with underlying medical conditions.
Also Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it would pay for boost shots with no cost sharing. That is consistent with CMS’ current vaccination policy.
