Boosters for Teens Threaten to Worsen Pharmacy Staffing Strains

People could face delays in getting Covid-19 boosters after federal agencies cleared additional doses for younger Americans, as the move threatens to overwhelm a pharmacy system that’s already struggling with vaccine appointments and staffing shortages.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that adolescents ages 12 to 17 get booster shots at least five months after their second dose aims to provide additional protection against the highly transmissible Covid-19 variant that’s now dominating in the U.S. It also makes boosters available for the first time for children ages 12 to 15.

But expanded eligibility puts further stress on pharmacies ...