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Another booster? Dr. Elliott: depends on age, risk & timing

CDC

This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment.

Another COVID-19 booster has been approved for people 50 and older and some immunocompromised people. They can get another booster four months after their last dose.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not made it clear how urgently people should be lining up for second boosters.

Dr. Michael Elliot is the chief medical officer of Avera Health. He says not everyone in the 50 and older age group needs another shot right now.

"I'm telling folks to weigh their risks and understand their health conditions. I think we can have really good confidence in the recommendations from the FDA and CDC. And hopefully, with time we get more evidence to support the safety and the efficacy of the vaccines."

The state Department of Health reports 43 currently people hospitalized with COVID-19 in South Dakota. That's the lowest since last August.

Joshua is the business and economics reporter with SDPB News.
Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.