Most Americans are about to be offered a third COVID jab

The White House has decided that most Americans should receive a COVID-19 booster shot eight months after their second dose.

Under the plan, booster shots could be offered as early as late September.

Officials are planning to announce the decision as early as this week. Their goal is to let Americans who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine now that they will need additional protection against the Delta variant.

The delta strain is causing cases to surge across much of the nation and has promoted President Biden to step up efforts to combat the virus.

The new policy will depend on the Food and Drug Administration’s authorisation of additional shots to the general population

Last week the CDC recommended a booster shot to those with weakened immune systems.

Officials say they expect that recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was authorised as a one-dose vaccination, will also require an additional dose – but that decision is pending trial results.

The first boosters are likely to go to nursing home residents and health care workers, followed by other older people who were near the front of the line when vaccinations began late last year.