Jared Polis, Democrat Governor of Colorado signed an executive order today to implement COVID-19 booster shots for all the citizens above 18 defying federal guidance as the state hospitals are overflown with Covid-19 patients with an excessive number of infections surged.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA rules allow booster shots for adults over 18 only if the patient has higher risk factors with weakened body systems or other medical complications which may worsen the condition. Also, old age people, aged over 65 are allowed to have it for their age-related conditions.
However, the order signed by Governor Polis declares all the people of Colorado are at high risk of infection, significantly expanding the number of infections every day.
He said, “Because disease spread is so significant across Colorado, all Coloradans who are 18 years of age and older are at high risk and qualify for a booster shot.”
However, FDA did not make any comment on Polis’ order, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opines boosters to implement under the federal guidelines in a White House briefing.
Pfizer also asked FDA to allow boosters for everyone over 18 as the virus is spreading at a higher rate with holiday travel and gatherings.
The Biden administration had originally been in favor of boosters for all adults which were condemned by the FDA scientists’ panel.
More than 700,000 citizens in Colorado have been infected during the pandemic which 8,814 people have died. It also recorded the highest seven-day positivity rate last week with 11.21% till November 2020.
Bottom Line: Colorado Democrat Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order to pursue a Covid-19 booster shot for all the adults in the state to prohibit an extended rate of the virus infection which defies federal guidance by the FDA.
