U.S. experts expect to recommend COVID-19 boosters to all Americans, regardless age, eight months after receiving their second dose. This will ensure that Americans are protected against the coronavirus, which is spreading across the country, as it grows.

Federal health officials are actively considering whether additional shots would be required for vaccinated individuals as soon as possible. They have reviewed case numbers from the U.S. and other countries, as well as Israel’s situation. Initial studies indicate that the vaccine’s protection against serious illnesses has dropped among those who were vaccinated in January.

Two people with knowledge of the matter said that an announcement regarding the U.S. booster recommendation was likely as soon as this week. They spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.

Once the vaccines are officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the widespread distribution of the doses would begin. This is expected to happen for the Pfizer shot within the next few weeks.

U.S. health officials recommended that people with weak immune systems receive boosters. They cited their increased risk of contracting the virus as well as evidence that vaccine effectiveness has decreased over time.

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Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health said Sunday that the United States could decide within the next few weeks whether to give coronavirus booster shots this fall to Americans.

They could be given to health care workers, residents of nursing homes, and other older Americans. These were the first Americans to get the shots after they received emergency authorization in December last year.