Photo Courtesy of W.Va. Governor’s Office Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s coronavirus czar, speaks during a July COVID-19 briefing.

CHARLESTON — The oral COVID-19 antiviral medications seeking emergency approval from the federal government are not intended as a booster to vaccinations, a West Virginia health official said Wednesday.

Pfizer and Merck have developed oral medications offering protection from the symptoms of the virus and are seeking emergency use authorizations from the Food and Drug Administration.

The medications can reduce the risk of hospitalizations, deaths and severe symptoms in people who are at risk when used within a day or two of testing positive, according to Dr. Clay Marsh, coronavirus czar in West Virginia.

However, the oral medications are not an alternative to vaccination, nor can they be used as a sort of booster shot, he said.

“But these won’t be used as boosters or don’t really have the direct impact on the immune system,” Marsh said. “What they do is target critical parts of the virus and disable the virus’ ability to replicate and to infect us. So they work directly on the virus.”

The medications could nonetheless be game changers, he said,

“But won’t replace the requirement, the real importance for us to have our population fully vaccinated and be able to have that active immunity as well,” Marsh said.

“The active immunity also serves to reduce even your risk of testing positive.”

The briefing was attended by Marsh, Health Officer Ayne Amjad, Jim Hoyer, head of the interagency task force on vaccines, Secretary Bill Crouch of the Department of Health and Human Resources, and Gov. Jim Justice.

The governor encouraged residents to get a vaccination and booster shots as the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control have been written in such a way that about everyone would be eligible, unless Superman wants a shot, he said.

“I would say if you’re breathing, you can go get your booster shot,” Justice said.

Justice also said the adjusted unemployment rate for October dropped to 4.3%, another record low and the 18th consecutive month of declining unemployment numbers despite the pandemic.

“It’s amazing what’s going on in West Virginia,” he said.