A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee unanimously recommended boosters of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine be authorized for people 65 and older Friday.
The committee voted against recommending the pharmaceutical company's proposal for a third vaccine shot for people 16 and older but endorsed an emergency-use authorization allowing people 65 and older and other high-risk groups to get boosters at least six months after they received their second dose. The panel's recommendations aren't binding on the FDA.
The White House announced a plan last month to start administering boosters to the general public next week, pending FDA approval. The FDA had already amended Pfizer and Moderna's use authorizations to allow a third dose of their messenger RNA vaccines for immunocompromised people.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said earlier this week that he wants a booster. He received his first dose in January and would be eligible for a third under the advisory panel's recommendation. He turned 70 last December.
"I think they'll be a very large push to get the booster shot," he said. "I will be one of the first in line. I'll be in line to get it, because I want to be as safe as I can. I think they'll be many in that category. I expect everybody who's fully vaccinated will be more than willing and ready to get the booster shot."
As a service to our readers, The Sentinel-Record publishes updates released by the city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas.
Complete COVID-19 statistics weren't available at presstime. The following stats were posted Friday on the Health Department's website:
• 482,743 cumulative cases, up 1,809 from Thursday.
• 1,515.29 rolling seven-day average of new cases, down 50 from Thursday.
• 16,308 active cases, down 93 from Thursday.
• 3,677,320 vaccine doses received, up 2,780 from Thursday.
• 2,828,989 doses given, up 7,208 from Thursday.
• 999 hospitalizations, down 75 from Thursday.
• 298 cases on ventilators, down eight from Thursday.
• 7,412 deaths, up 17 from Thursday.