Hogan Gets Booster Shot, Cheers FDA Approval Of Pfizer Vaccine

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan announced Sunday he got a coronavirus booster shot. This follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending an extra dose for those with weakened immune systems.

Hogan qualifies because he has twice battled skin cancer and previously got the Moderna inoculation. In an interview on "Face the Nation," the governor mentioned he got the supplementary shot on Aug. 16 and feels great.

Booster Shots

The third doses are only available for patients who are immunocompromised and got the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. There are not yet enough data to support an additional Johnson & Johnson injection, the CDC explained.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccinees who don't have compromised immune systems should get a booster shot eight months after their second inoculation, the CDC added. This policy starts in the week of Sept. 20. Similar guidelines for Johnson & Johnson injections could soon follow.

Hogan, however, is concerned with the delta variant. This highly contagious variant has prompted a jump in coronavirus metrics.

"Federal officials must make booster shots available immediately for seniors and vulnerable populations," the governor said in a press release. "Maryland is already mobilizing for the utilization of boosters, and we cannot afford to wait until the fall to protect those we know are most vulnerable."

Vaccine Benchmark, Approval

Hogan announced Sunday 80 percent of Maryland adults have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. About 90 percent of the state's seniors have taken at least one shot.

"As one of the most vaccinated states, our health metrics are among the lowest in America," the governor added in another statement. "We are much better prepared to withstand the significant summer surge of the Delta variant, which many other states with lower vaccination rates are now experiencing.

Despite the inoculation progress, Hogan urged swifter advancements from President Joe Biden's administration.

The governor called on the FDA to follow Pfizer's approval by okaying the Moderna as well as the Johnson & Johnson injections. These shots are still on emergency-use authorizations, which are temporary permits with expedited scientific reviews. FDA approval is the highest level of clearance from health experts, and it indicates their utmost confidence.

"We want to thank federal officials for authorizing full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, which is something we have been pushing for over the last several weeks," Hogan stated in a final release. "For people who are still hesitant about getting the vaccine, this is an assurance that it has met the most rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness."

The governor also pressed for vaccine approval in locals aged 5 to 11. The Pfizer inoculation is currently recommended for those 12 and up. Moderna as well as Johnson & Johnson are only available for adult use.

Hogan lastly requested clarification on Johnson & Johnson booster shots. The CDC has not yet announced its plans for an extra dose of this inoculation.

"Any further delay on boosters and expanding vaccine access could be devastating to our continued recovery from COVID-19," the governor wrote. "We look forward to working with the Biden administration on all of these issues."

Hogan's full letter to the president is posted here.

Worsening Metrics

Maryland's case rate has risen to 16.95 new infections per day per 100,000 residents. That's down from its Jan. 12 peak of 53.39, but it's up from its recent low of 0.9 on June 25. This is the largest case rate since April 24.

The state's hospitalization total is also up to 698. Though that's less than the Jan. 12 high of 1,952, Maryland had 97 locals in the hospital as recently as July 2. This is the steepest count since May 13.

The positivity rate is similarly swelling. It has spiked to 4.97 percent, which is up from the all-time low of 0.54 percent registered on June 28. The percent positivity was even higher Saturday when it reached 5.08 percent. That was the steepest clip since April 22, but it's still below the overall maximum of 26.88 percent on April 17, 2020.

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RELATED:

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• Vaccine Or Tests Required For Some MD Workers: Hogan
• 'We're Not Talking About Reinstating A Mask Mandate': Gov. Larry Hogan

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