CNN reports that United States health officials are rolling out COVID-19 vaccination booster shots beginning Sept. 20. "We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting eight months after an individual's second dose," said health officials, including CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, in a statement Aug. 18. "At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster. We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them," the statement said. The country's top health officials made the announcement through a White House press briefing Aug. 18. Booster shots are needed to stop the more contagious, more dangerous variants of COVID-19 now circulating. At first, the booster shots are only for those who have had the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. "Administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine did not begin in the U.S. until March 2021, and we expect more data on J&J in the next few weeks," the statement said. Read more about this story at the CNN website.