Due to the discovery of new omicron variants in more countries/regions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday expanded the recommendation for COVID-19 booster injections for all adults.

The agency has previously approved the provision of boosters for all adults, but only recommends them to people 50 years and older or people living in long-term care facilities.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said that the new guidelines reflect the emergence of a variant of omicron, which has not yet been discovered in the United States, but officials say it will inevitably arrive in the country.

She said in a statement: “Everyone 18 years of age and older should get the booster 6 months after the initial Pfizer or Moderna series of vaccines or 2 months after the first J&J vaccine.”

Varensky also encourages Americans who feel unwell to be tested for COVID-19, saying: “Adding tests will help us quickly identify Omicron.”