CDC backs boosters for all vaccinated adults

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer, here to kick off this holiday week. Today in healthcare news:

• The CDC has endorsed booster shots for adults after the FDA gave the OK;
• Dr. Fauci tells Insider he doesn't see a reason to wait to vaccinate kids 5-11 against COVID-19;
• A major study evaluates the use of masks in preventing COVID-19.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Find me at lramsey@insider.com or @lydiaramsey125. Let's get to it...

CDC approves boosters for all vaccinated adults — and says it should be a priority for over-50s

• The CDC just endorsed booster shots for all adults.
• The agency approved an expert committee's verdict, that people under 50 may get boosted, but those over 50 really should.
• This allows many fully vaccinated people in the US to get boosted before the holidays.

Here's what you need to know>>

Dr. Fauci says he doesn't understand parents who have not vaccinated their kids: 'What are you waiting for? Protect your children'

• Dr. Anthony Fauci doesn't think there's any reason to wait to vaccinate 5-11 year olds.
• "There have been clinical trials that are very, very clear to show that the vaccine is highly effective and very safe," Fauci said.
• The FDA says the safety database of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds is already as robust as those of other fully approved pediatric vaccines.

Read more from the conversation>>

Aside from vaccination, mask-wearing seems the most effective tool for combating COVID-19, a major study suggests

• Mask-wearing seems the best public health measure for fighting COVID-19, according to a large analysis.
• Hand-washing and social distancing could also reduce the number of new COVID-19 cases, the study authors said.
• The researchers bemoaned a lack of quality data on quarantine, lockdowns, and school closures.

Find out more>>

More stories we're reading:

• The Elizabeth Holmes trial: The defense gets served (Insider)
• A Bloomberg survey found that none of 25 large health insurers deem Biogen's new Alzheimer's drug "medically necessary" (Bloomberg)
• Austria becomes the first country in western Europe to reimpose a full COVID-19 lockdown, and says it plans to make vaccines compulsory (Insider)
• A group of scientists requested information from the FDA about vaccine data. The agency said it'd take 55 years to process. (Reuters)

- Lydia