WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona Health President and CEO Rachelle Schultz says they’re awaiting further guidance from federal health officials before offering COVID-19 booster shots to broader populations.
An FDA advisory panel on Friday approved expanding booster eligibility to certain individuals. Schultz told KWNO Monday, the approval only applies to people who got the Pfizer shot.
“And it’s only now, they’re recommending, for people who are 65 and older or high-risk individuals,” said Schultz. “That has yet to be determined as to who high-risk individuals are. For example, health care workers would be considered high risk. And you would have to be six months after your series of vaccinations.”
Schultz says boosters have been going out to people with compromised immune systems. She’s expecting clearer guidance to be announced later this week.
Hospital capacity is becoming a concern across the country as delta cases continue to rise. Schultz says Winona Health is doing better with its capacity than other parts of Minnesota.
“Those are very real issues and discussions that I think are happening. We have in fact taken some patients from other parts of the state, up in the Twin Cities as well as Greater Minnesota, for that reason,” said Schultz.
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