Should the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ include boosters?

With the United States in the midst of another surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, top health officials in the Biden administration have started rethinking the requirements that qualify Americans as being fully vaccinated — and whether booster shots should be required as part of the criteria.

President Biden and government health officials have strongly recommended that every eligible adult get a booster shot, citing evidence that the extra dose can substantially increase immune protection against the virus. But, so far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still considers anyone who has had two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to be fully vaccinated. That policy may be adjusted before long.

“I don't think anybody would argue that optimal protection is going to be with a third shot,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN earlier this month, adding that he believes it’s “a matter of when, not if” the definition of fully vaccinated will change.