A White House official said on Sunday that Americans above 60 years old should get a second booster or a COVID-19 vaccine, citing the latest data from Israel showing that getting a fourth vaccine significantly lowered infections and deaths among the elderly.

Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the new White House Covid-19 response coordinator, made the remarks on a Fox News program weeks after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized second booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for people 50 and older.

The decision, according to the FDA, was made to boost dwindling protection against severe illness when the more contagious subvariant of Omicron, known as BA.2, became the virus's prevalent strain in the US, The New York Times reported.

When asked if Americans should get a second booster shot, Dr. Jha cited Israeli data showing a fourth shot provided substantial protection, especially against the serious condition, in individuals beyond 60.

Dr. Jha said that Israel's data is "pretty compelling" for individuals above 60 years old. It indicated those who received a second booster shot four months after their first booster showed a "substantial reduction" in infections and fatality. Hence, he recommends it for the American elderly.

"it's dependent on risk profile - talk to your doctor, it's much more of a close call. But for people over 60, I think people should be getting that second booster," Dr. Jha said.

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When asked how concerned Americans should be about BA.2, he replied that while cases are increasing, hospital admissions are still low, implying that government officials must "pay close attention" to determine the severity of the variant's risk, per The Independent.

Dr. Jha also defended the CDC's decision to prolong the federal mask mandate for travel. He explained that the additional 15 days will help health authorities determine the severity of the cases. 

The medical expert said it was still unclear if BA.2 will produce a more severe disease than earlier viral variants and subvariants. Cases are increasing, although hospitalizations are "at the lowest level during the pandemic," The FDA is still waiting for vaccine producers to provide data on whether vaccines for kids under the age of five are safe and effective.

Dr. Jha expressed optimism that the FDA would be able to reach a decision within the next two months.

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The Pandemic Is Still Here

The new boosters - the fourth round of shots for most vaccine recipients - of the Pfizer Inc /BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc vaccines are to be provided at least four months after the last dosage, per the US Food and Drug Administration. They are designed to provide increased protection against severe infection and hospitalization.

The decision to provide second boosters in the United States comes as several scientists have expressed alarm about the highly infectious and newly predominant BA.2 Omicron subvariant, which has caused an increase in COVID-19 cases in other nations.

In an interview with NBC 10 News, Dr. Jha told the public that "The pandemic is not over" that is why adults need booster shots.

"That is completely necessary when you look at what's happened with omicron, particularly. A booster is essential," Dr. Jha said.

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