A source familiar with the ongoing discussions says that US officials are considering providing high-risk individuals with a second bivalent booster shot for COVID-19. Despite the majority of Americans having moved past the pandemic precautions, some individuals are still concerned about the possibility of severe illness and are looking forward to receiving another dose.

This situation is not unique to the US, as several countries worldwide are also grappling with the need for additional booster shots to address the evolving COVID-19 virus. Israel, for instance, began offering a third dose of the vaccine to people over the age of 60 in August 2021. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, are focusing on booster shots for certain groups, such as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Additionally, the initial emergence of the virus in Wuhan, China, in 2019, led to the implementation of strict lockdown measures and vaccine development worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has since claimed millions of lives worldwide and continues to be a significant health concern for many nations.