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COVID vaccine boosters: When is it time for that extra shot? Here’s what we know

Officials set an initial Sept. 20 date for vaccine booster shots. We’ll update you on the White House’s booster plan and tell you what’s happening with each vaccine.

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that officials from the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising the White House to scale back its original booster recommendation. Last month, President Joe Biden announced that his administration would start offering boosters to those who’d been fully immunized at least eight months ago by the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. The original plan was contingent on approval by the FDA, which still says there’s not enough data on booster shots to go forward.

Government officials are now cautioning that boosters may be available just for those who received the Pfizer vaccine, because regulators may need more time to evaluate the vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

The booster recommendations come as research shows how the effectiveness of the vaccines can decline. An additional shot from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer or Moderna could provide enhanced protection against the COVID-19 delta variant as it surges across the country. «Recent data makes clear that protection against mild and moderate disease has decreased over time,» US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said during an August briefing on COVID-19 vaccines. «This is likely due to both waning immunity and the strength of the widespread delta variant.»

What does all this mean for you? Read on for what we know about COVID-19 booster shots today, including who can get them now, why they’re needed, how they relate to breakthrough infections and what the controversy has been surrounding third shots. We’ll be updating this as new information is released.

Why would a Pfizer vaccine booster be authorized first?

According to a report by The New York Times on Sept. 3, administration health officials warn that the FDA and CDC may not have enough time to approve boosters from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson in time to meet Biden’s goal of starting booster shots on Sept. 20.

While the Pfizer plan seems to remain on track, Moderna announced it just began submitting booster data to the FDA, so the process may take some more time to determine a recommended dosage for a third Moderna shot. Data from Johnson & Johnson has not yet been delivered.

Who would qualify for a booster shot and when?

In August, healthofficials in the Biden administration recommended an additionalshot for Americans 18 and over who are fully vaccinated with thePfizer or Moderna shots, proposing a booster eight months after being fully vaccinated.

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the end of August, Biden said administration health officials were evaluating a five-month gap, based in part on data from Israel’s booster program. The news followed a report by The Wall Street Journal that the Biden administration was evaluating a booster shot six months after the last jab.

Waiting months in between doses allows the immune system to develop a full response before it is helped by a boost. Whatever the time gap, the booster plan would need to be evaluated and approved by the FDA. The plan is also pendingrecommendation by the CDC’sAdvisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

«We believethat that third dose will ultimately be needed to provide the fullestand continual extent of protection that we think people need from thevirus,» Murthy said. «Our plan is to stay ahead of this virus by beingprepared to offer COVID-19 booster shots to fully vaccinated adults 18years and older.» Murthy said the FDA will evaluate booster shots forthose younger than 18 years of age, and the administration will followFDA recommendations for minors.

Does full FDA approval of Pfizer’s vaccine include a booster?

On Aug. 23, the FDA approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for two doses for people 16 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is the first to receive FDA approval, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available under an emergency use authorization. And for children ages 12 to 15, Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for emergency use.

While a third dose for some immunocompromised individuals is authorized for emergency use, the FDA final authorization does not include a booster shot, which the Biden administration is hoping to roll out as soon as this month. But some health care experts believe the two-shot approval could give a push to those who were waiting on the FDA before getting vaccinated.

«The moment you have been waiting for is here,» Biden said, following the FDA approval. «Now it has been granted. Those who’ve been waiting for full approval should go get their shot now.»

The approval could also lead to more businesses, schools and venues mandating vaccine requirements.

What about a Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster shot?

On Aug. 25, Johnson & Johnson saida booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine increases antibody responses inthose who received the company’s one-dose vaccine, based on interimdatafrom anearly trial. The company said it would work with public healthofficials on a plan for a booster shot for eightmonths or longerafter the first dose of its vaccine.

Currently,the one-doseJohnson & Johnson vaccine is available under anemergency useauthorization for individuals 18 years of age and older.

Bidenadministration health officials said they expect those who receivedtheone-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need another jab, butmoreresearch is necessary. «We expect more data on J&Jin thecomingweeks,» Murthy said when announcing plans for booster shots in late August.»With thatdata in hand, we willkeep the public informed with thetimely plan forJ&J boostershots.»

What about those eligible for booster shots now?

Some people who already are eligible under guidelines from the CDC can go out and get their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine immediately. The list of immunocompromised people who can get a third shot includes solid-organ transplant recipients and people who have an «equivalent level of immunocompromise» and who have a reduced ability to fight off infections, making them more vulnerable to the coronavirus. Booster authorization hasn’t yet been expanded more broadly to those with other chronic medical conditions.

The current CDC recommendation is for an additional dose of the two-shot vaccine for certain immunocompromised people. Within that category, the recommendation is for those 18 and older for the Moderna vaccine, and 12 and older for the Pfizer vaccine. The FDA didn’t authorize an additional dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and because of a lack of data the CDC hasn’t recommended a second dose for immunocompromised people who got the one-shot vaccine.

About 3% of US adults are immunocompromised, according to the CDC, but research suggests they account for about 44% of hospitalized breakthrough cases of COVID-19. Not only are they more likely to get very ill from COVID-19, they also have a lower antibody response to vaccines and are at a higher risk of transmitting the virus.

Those with other conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, aren’t advised to get a booster, at least for now. Here’s a list of people the CDC recommends get an extra dose if they got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine:

  • Those with advanced or untreated HIV infection.
  • Cancer patients and transplant recipients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.
  • Those receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood.
  • Those with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency.
  • Patients being treated with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress immune response.
  • People who received a stem cell transplant within the last two years and are taking certain drugs. The CDC says to talk to your medical provider about your health condition and whether a third shot is appropriate.

If you’re unsure whether you’re qualified, the CDC says to talk to your medical provider about your health condition and whether a third dose is appropriate.

Will the booster shots be free and available?

The current one-dose vaccine shot from Johnson & Johnson and two-dose vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are free to anyone who wants to get vaccinated. And the additional shots will be free too. «These booster shots are free,» Biden said. «It will be easy. Just show your vaccination card and you’ll get a booster. No other ID. No insurance. No state registry requirements.»

«It will be just as easy and convenient to get a booster shot as it is to get a first shot today. We have enough vaccine supply for every American,» said White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients, adding that those who are eligible will be able to get a booster at roughly 80,000 places across the country, including over 40,000 local pharmacies. Zients said 90% of Americans have a vaccine site within 5 miles of where they live.

What’s behind the need for COVID-19 booster shots?

«The COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized in the United States have been remarkably effective, even against the widespread delta variant,» Murthy said. «But we know that even highly effective vaccines become less effective over time.»

Calling the eradication of the COVID-19 virus «unlikely,» a UK scientific advisory group found (PDF) that there’s a «realistic possibility» that a variant will emerge that is resistant to the current battery of vaccines. Governments, public health organizations and vaccine makers are all tracking developments in coronavirus variants like delta and lambda, hoping to determine if booster shots targeting new variants will be needed among the general population.

What’s the relationship to COVID-19 breakthrough cases?

As of July, in the US, «breakthrough» coronavirus cases caused by the dominant delta variant amount to less than 1% of people who are fully vaccinated. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have proved to be more than 90% effective against hospitalizations and death. Nonetheless, a CDC study shows that vaccinated people can both contract the highly contagious delta variant and spread it. According to a widely reported internal CDC memo, the delta variant spreads as easily as chicken pox, which is considered more contagious than the flu but less contagious than measles.

The surge in new COVID-19 cases is primarily affecting unvaccinated people and causing community spread, and in turn, prompting the return of mask mandates and guidance in hard-hit areas, even for people who have full vaccine protection. The debate over mask use and vaccine boosters underscores how scientists and other health experts continue to grapple with the uncertainties of COVID-19.

According to Murthy, «We are concerned that this pattern of decline we are seeing will continue in the months ahead, which could lead to reduced protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death.»

What’s the global controversy over booster shots?

Israel is now administering third doses of the vaccine to those 50 and older, and the UK has similar plans for September. However, this is resulting in a backlash among countries that are struggling to deliver first and second shots to residents.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a «moratorium» on booster shots in high-income countries, citing the global disparity in vaccine distribution. Of the 4 billion doses administered globally, 80% have gone to high- and upper-middle income countries that make up less than half the world’s population, he said.

«We cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the world’s most vulnerable people remain unprotected. We call on vaccine producers to prioritize Covax,» Tedros said, referring to the world’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Aug. 17 that the US will have enough vaccines to both provide boosters for those who are fully vaccinated in the US and meet the global demand. «We have long planned from enough supply,» she said.

The US has so far shipped 115 million vaccine doses to 80 different countries, Zients said. «Our wartime efforts will continue doing everything we can to get even more people vaccinated both here at home and around the world. We can and must do both at the same time because that’s what it’s going to take to end this pandemic,» he said.

Is it possible to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines?

According to The New York Times, administration officials will recommend people get a booster of the same vaccine they originally received. The CDC now says a third dose of a different vaccine brand is permitted if a dose of the same type isn’t available.

Other global health agencies and countries are testing administered vaccines from two different manufacturers. In the UK, for example, a recent study found that those who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and a second of Pfizer had a higher immune response than those who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

While we watch how the situation develops, here’s what we know about the delta variant and info on whether you need to continue to wear a mask.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Technologies

Your Roku Device Is Getting a Free Content Discovery Software Update

Finding something to watch on your Roku will get easier soon. Here’s how to check for the software update once it’s ready.

Roku this week unveiled two updated streaming devices and three new TVs to its lineup for 2025, along with a new set of software features that will head to all Roku devices in the coming months, with a focus on discovering new content to watch.

In its own survey, Roku says that 57% of viewers give up and do something else after searching fruitlessly for something to watch. This new experience hopes to address the scroll fatigue that many streamers face when trying to find something to watch without specific content in mind.

Below, we’ll break down what the new software update is packing and how to manually check for a software update on your Roku device. 

For more, here’s how to set up a VPN on your Roku device.

Here are the new features coming to your Roku

So what can Roku users expect with the upcoming update? A lot, actually. Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming.  

  • Coming Soon to Theaters: A new row will be added that will keep you up to date with the latest films that are currently in theaters. If you’re more of an at-home movie watcher than a movie-goer, you can add the films you’re interested in to your Save List and you’ll get a notification when it’s available to stream. 
  • Short-form video content: Roku’s getting on the short-form bandwagon and rows will appear in the All Things Food and All Things Home tabs to get recipes and quick home hacks in a flash. 
  • New badges: In addition to new, paid and free badges, an Award Winner badge will be added to titles so you can prioritize quality content. 
  • Personalized sports highlights: A new and personalized sports highlights in the Sports Zone section will give you the clips that are most important to you for easy viewing. 
  • Sports Zone expansion: Roku is expanding its Sports Zone availability globally, giving you a dedicated spot to catch up on highlights for mobile. You can also select your favorite teams to get notifications when they’re playing. 
  • Additional Roku mobile app updates: Roku is making its app a solid second-screen companion, allowing you to explore what’s on and use the app as a remote for your TV. Updated content details will bring cast and crew, IMDb ratings, trailers and more so you won’t need to switch to another app to get the information you want.
  • Daily trivia: Test your entertainment knowledge with up to 10 new daily trivia questions each day. From there, you can tap into the Trivia Vault for even more.
  • New Roku City tile: You’ll soon be able to jump into the side-scrolling Roku City with a press of a button, completely with the purple and orange vibes and plenty of easter eggs hidden throughout.

Here’s a video of Roku City in action in case you need something to mindlessly watch on repeat and are away from your Roku TV.

Roku did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the impending update.

How to manually check your Roku for software updates

If you’re wondering how you’ll be able to get the update (or any update) on your Roku when it’s available, checking to see if new software is waiting for you is a breeze. That said, as long as it’s connected to the internet, your Roku will eventually automatically update itself. 

If you’re impatient, here’s how to check for new software updates on your Roku. 

  • Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
  • Scroll to and select Settings.
  • Select System.
  • Select Software update.
  • Select Check Now to manually check for updates for your device.

If you’re having trouble connecting your Roku to the internet, you can also update the software via a USB flash drive

For more, don’t miss our best streaming device picks for 2025.

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Technologies

Netflix Rolls Out New Dialogue-Only Subtitles Option

Say goodbye to noise descriptions such as [phone buzzing] or [dramatic music swells], unless you want to still see them.

If you got easily distracted by reading subtitles of noise descriptions, like «car engine revs up» or «crowd shouts,» Netflix has a new subtitle option for you — dialogue only. The streaming video company announced the change on Thursday. The new format drops subtitles for sound as well as the names of who’s speaking, only showing the dialogue.

Earlier this year, Netflix increased its prices and added an additional cost for family members that don’t live in your household but are still on your Netflix account. The streaming subscription also added more original titles and upgrades to the service.

Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2025

Currently, the new subtitle option is only available in English, and only for new Netflix original titles. It begins Thursday with season 5 of You, a popular Netflix original thriller.

If you need or prefer to see the subtitles with speaker names and sound descriptions, select English CC in your Netflix settings. If you want the dialogue-only option, you’ll select English. You can customize the size and font of your subtitles, and choose from other languages — but only English will have the new version.

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Madden NFL 26 Release Date Announced, Skipping PS4 and Xbox One but Coming to Switch 2

Football fans on older consoles will need to update their hardware this year.

The NFL Draft is happening Thursday evening and EA made it official that Madden NFL 26 will be released Aug. 14 and, for the first time since 2013, the game will not be available for the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. It will, however, be launching on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. 

EA had its reveal for Madden 26 on Thursday with details about the price, release date and the special MVP Bundle that includes the latest Madden game and College Football 26. Also announced were the platforms for the new Madden game, which will be PS5, PC, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. The PS4 and Xbox One will not receive a version of the game when it launches on Aug. 14. 

Out of all the major video game publishers, EA tends to drag its feet on dropping platforms, especially for sports games. The last Madden game for the PS3 came out in 2016, which was three years after the launch of the PS4. Although that wasn’t the last EA game for the PS3, which was FIFA 19 in 2018, five years post-PS4 launch. 

Madden 26 marks the return of the franchise to a Nintendo console. Thanks to the upgraded hardware in Nintendo’s new console, it appears to be enough to handle the football sim. The last time a Madden game was available on a Nintendo console was in 2012 with the release of Madden 13 on the Wii U. 

Madden NFL 26 will be released on Aug. 14 for $70 with a Deluxe Edition costing $100. Those who purchase the Deluxe Edition will get early access to the game starting Aug. 11, along with 4600 Madden Points and other digital content. The MVP Bundle costs $150 and comes with Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition and College Football 26 Deluxe Edition, which has its own early access starting July 7 before the game’s July 10 release date, as well as more digital content. College Football 26, however, will not be coming to the Switch 2. 

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