More than 10 million people in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster

More than 10 million people in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster
More than 10 million people in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster

More than 10 million Americans have received boosters shots since they became available in the U.S. this August, new data reveal.

These include about 6.7 million seniors, comprising almost 15 percent of Americans over age 65.

Booster shots are driving up vaccination numbers in the U.S., as the number of Americans getting their third doses comprises between one-third and one-half of shots given in the country each day. 

However, limited demographic data are available on who's getting booster shots, making it difficult to evaluate the rollout from state to state or across different race and ethnicity groups.

Since booster shots became available in the U.S. in August, over 10 million Americans have received the shots. Pictured: A pharmacist administers a Pfizer booster shot at a clinic in San Rafael, California, October 2021

Since booster shots became available in the U.S. in August, over 10 million Americans have received the shots. Pictured: A pharmacist administers a Pfizer booster shot at a clinic in San Rafael, California, October 2021

Booster shots have made up a significant share of the doses administered in the U.S. in recent weeks - between one-third and one-half of the doses given each day

Booster shots have made up a significant share of the doses administered in the U.S. in recent weeks - between one-third and one-half of the doses given each day

On September 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) followed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in authorizing booster shots of Pfizer's Covid vaccines for certain groups in the U.S. who were deemed to need the additional doses.

Then, on October 14 and 15, the FDA's vaccine advisory committee recommended similar authorizations for booster shots of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's vaccines.

Official authorizations from the FDA and CDC are expected to come later this week, as the CDC's vaccine advisory committee meets Wednesday and Thursday.

Plus, the FDA is expected to issue an authorization allowing Americans to receive booster shots made by a different company from the one that made the vaccine they received in their first or second doses.

In the lead-up to these authorizations, 10.7 million Americans have already received third vaccine doses, according to the CDC.

This number primarily includes recipients of Pfizer booster shots.

Seniors, people with preexisting medical conditions, and those who are particularly likely to encounter the coronavirus due to their occupation or living situation are all eligible for Pfizer boosters.

However, the 10.7 million who have received third vaccine doses also include immunocompromised Americans, who have been eligible for additional doses since August 13.

Immunocompromised people

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