AN ADVISORY council is recommending that those who have had the Pfizer vaccination against COVID-19 should get a booster shot if they are over 65 (Shutterstock).

Who should get a booster vaccination shot to ward off the coronavirus? On Friday a panel of experts advised that among those who had been inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine, only those 65 and older or those who have a risk of “severe disease” should get a third “jab.”

According to the Associated Press, the advisory group’s recommendation is not binding and the Food and Drug Administration can make a differing opinion. Also standing by to offer its own viewpoint is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The advice also comes with the suggestion that health workers and others likely to be exposed to COVID-19 get booster shots as well. The Biden administration has been pushing for third shots for those inoculated with both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Drone strike hit the wrong target

A LOCKHEED MARTIN “Longbow Hellfire” missile (Wikipedia).

It was trumpeted by the U.S. military as a triumph of technology over terror as a drone aircraft destroyed a vehicle packed with explosives on Aug. 29. But instead of killing guerillas trying to disrupt the evacuation of Kabul in Afghanistan, the device killed 10 civilians, including seven children.

The New York Times is reporting that the Pentagon is now admitting “a tragic mistake” that blew up a Toyota sedan whose trunk was filled with what were probably water bottles instead of explosives.

“I offer my profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed,” said Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. at a news conference on Friday.

Also in the news:

• France has withdrawn its ambassadors from the United States and Australia in the wake of the unexpected creation of a new Indo-Pacific alliance which will result in Australia buying nuclear submarines from the U.S. instead of France, according to USA Today.
• The Moderna vaccine is more effective at preventing serious illness from the coronavirus, USA Today is reporting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the effectiveness of the Moderna at 93 percent, compared to 88 percent for Pfizer (dropping to 77 percent after four more months) and Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine at 71 percent, reports United Press International.

Sports: Dodgers fall two games back

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost ground and the Los Angeles Angels just lost in Major League Baseball action Friday night. The Blue Crew (94-54) fell 3-1 to the Reds. Combined with the San Francisco Giants’ 11-inning 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves, the National League West race has the Giants (96-52) ahead by two runs. Against the Reds, the Dodgers fell behind early and didn’t score until the ninth inning. Walker Buehler (14-4) pitched six strong innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs. He struck out five and walked two.

The Angels jumped out to a 4-2 lead but couldn’t hold on and lost 5-4 to Oakland at the Big A. Catcher Kurt Suzuki homered for the Halos and had two hits. David Fletcher had two hits and drove in two runs. The Angels out-hit the A’s 10-7 but couldn’t convert them into enough runs. Their record fell to 72-75 and they remain in fourth in the AL West. They’re 15 games back and 10.5 games out from a wild card playoff spot.

Weather: Still sunny and warm

Nice days persist this weekend for the West Orange County area with daily temperature highs rising into the upper 70s as a warming trend takes hold. According to Weather.com the high on Saturday should be 78 degrees (overnight low of 58), dipping to 77 (61) on Sunday before heating up a bit on Monday to 83 (62). In the coastal areas of Huntington Beach, highs will be three to four degrees cooler.