It is becoming a reality, COVID-19, the Delta variant, has swept through our world wreaking havoc yet again! Hospitalizations are on the rise, children are now affected and symptomatic and masks are again in vogue. The good news is the FDA have granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, only using the EUA for children over the age of 12.

What does this mean to us, the general public and why is there an “additional dose” classification and not just a “booster”? According to the CDC, immunocompromised adults who received the full two-dose vaccine earlier this year, may not have the immunity built up that people with healthy immune systems do. This increases the risk of infection in adults with compromised immune systems and a full “additional dose” is expected to assist them in achieving a higher level of immunity.

Bottom line, whatever it is called, booster or additional dose, everyone needs to stop and listen. We are at a crossroad with this pandemic and even with the best estimates, it may be next spring before we have it under some control. Please follow the advice of your physician, listen to the experts, review the data, stay well, stay informed and stay tuned!