FDA greenlights Pfizer booster shot for certain groups; CDC advisory panel votes to recommend boosters

Sep 23, 2021 - 02:57 PM
FDA Gives Full Approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine bottles, syringes, and COVID-19 cells.

The Food and Drug Administration late last night amended Pfizer’s emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to allow for an additional, booster dose for certain individuals. FDA will authorize a booster shot to be administered six months following a completed two-dose regiment for the following:

  • individuals 65 years of age and older; 
  • individuals in the 18-64 age range who are at high risk of severe COVID-19; and
  • individuals in the 18-64 age range whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19, including severe disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices today advanced the possibility of booster shots, voting unanimously to recommend boosters for the 65-and-older age group and people in long-term care facilities. ACIP also fully recommended giving a single booster dose to people between the ages of 50 and 64 with certain high risk conditions.

The ACIP meeting was continuing at the time of AHA Today’s publication, with the committee discussing occupational exposure issues that may warrant a booster. AHA tomorrow will update members on this issue.

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