People over the age of 50 who have received an initial booster dose at least four months ago may now receive another, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration recommended a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Modena COVID-19 vaccine and the Centers for Disease Control followed hours later by doing the same.

“Boosters are safe, and people over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster 4 months after their prior dose to increase their protection further. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a news release announcing the approval.

While over 75.5% of nursing home residents have been vaccinated and received their first booster shot, only 43.1% of staff have done the same. Roughly 85.9% of staff are considered vaccinated, according to CMS.

Harvard University professor and nursing home industry expert David Grabowski told Skilled Nursing News that he has concerns regarding the success of the booster rollout relative to the initial vaccination efforts.

“Nursing homes have a lot going on and I just don’t get the sense that these booster clinics have been the priority that they probably should [have] given what’s at stake,” Grabowski said.

During the recent omicron surge, those who were boosted were 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and seven times less likely to be hospitalized, according to the CDC.

It’s especially recommended for those with increased risk of severe disease including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions.

Nursing home staff were required to be vaccinated by March 15 and while the 85.9% vaccination rate is a significant increase from where it was just a few months ago, with a current booster rate of 43.1% vaccination compliance could be an ongoing challenge for the industry – especially if boosters are further mandated.

Grabowski admitted it could be a “continual struggle” to get staff vaccinated and to recruit staff.

“I do think there will be continued tension there,” he said. “But I think this is an area where the federal government should be pushing on getting as many of our staff and residents fully vaccinated [as possible].”