CDC Encourages Second Booster Dose For Those Who Are Eligible

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that most older Americans got their first booster dose many months ago and that may leave those who are vulnerable without continued protection.

On Friday morning, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava received her second booster dose. She urged others in the county who may be at risk to do the same as positivity rates climb.

On Thursday, the CDC strengthened its recommendations. It now advises those 12 and older who are immunocompromised, and those 50 and older, to get a second booster at least four months after their first.

"The reason it seems less dangerous is because of prior immunity in our population but unfortunately immunity weans, whether it's a natural infection or a vaccine, which is why there's such an importance of getting this other booster," said Florida International University's infectious disease specialist Dr. Aileen Marty.

While the push now is for those older Americans to get the second dose, they do account for the highest coverage of any age group of first booster doses.