Missouri opens coronavirus vaccine recall to all adults

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – All adults in Missouri are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster, the state’s health department said Friday.

All adults in Missouri can now be boosted within six months of their last dose of Pfizer or Moderna. Johnson & Johnson boosters were already approved for adults at least two months after injection.

People can mix and match boosters from any business.

The Department of Health and Seniors’ Services followed suit hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved large-scale recalls. The government is trying to forestall the increase in coronavirus cases which experts say could snowball into a winter wave with upcoming vacation trips.

Missouri Department of Health data shows 2% of fully vaccinated Missourians caught the virus and only 0.02% of fully vaccinated Missourians died from the coronavirus.

Department of Health and Human Services director Donald Kauerauf said the data shows “vaccines definitely save lives.”

“With the next vacation, where you come into contact with your loved ones, getting the vaccine is the way to avoid getting sick and unknowingly exposing others,” Kauerauf said in a statement.

The Missouri Department of Health has also “strongly urged” people to get their flu shot, if possible at the same time as they receive a COVID-19 booster.