Fauci Vague on Changing Definition of ‘Fully Vaccinated’: ‘We Might Modify’

Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN host Dana Bash the government’s definition of “fully vaccinated” may change, based on patient data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently consider Americans “fully vaccinated” if they received two Pfizer or Moderna shots, or one Johnson & Johnson shot. Fauci said health officials do not plan to change the definition of fully vaccinated to include booster shots, but admitted that it is possible.

“We’re going to take a look right now at what the durability is of the booster,” Fauci said. “We’re going to follow people who get boosted.”  He said people should not be concerned that health officials may modify the guidelines as they learn more about treating COVID-19.

That mirrored what he told ABC “This Week” anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

“We’ll continue to follow the data, because right now when we’re boosting people, what we’re doing is following them,” said the presidential advisor. “We’re going to see what the durability of that protection is, and as we always do, you just follow and let the data guide your policy and let the data guide your recommendations.”

Fauci, who is also Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the Administration would do its best to keep the American public protected as much as possible.

“If that means that that’s going to be a boost that absolutely everyone will have to have, then so be it, we’ll do it that way,” Fauci said.

Governors Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) have said the definition of fully vaccinated should include a booster shot. Both governors have pushed to require all adults in their state to get the extra shot.

“We’re 11 months into the vaccination program,” Lamont told NBC CT Wednesday. “In my view, if you were vaccinated more than six months ago, you’re not fully vaccinated.”

“We know vaccinations are the most effective tool to both blunting the spread of the virus and to protecting ourselves (sic) and our families,” said Gov. Grisham. “So we are analyzing what we can do to create those incentives — and potentially mandates — for making sure that people are fully vaccinated, which means three vaccines.”