FDA Authorizes Second Covid Booster For Americans 50 And Older
Topline
The Meals and Drug Administration Tuesday green-lit a second booster shot of Moderna’s and Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for individuals ages 50 and older, after knowledge emerged indicating a primary booster wanes in effectiveness after three to 6 months.
A vial of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is injected into the arm of a 102-year-old by pharmacist … [+]
Steve Pfost/Newsday RM through Getty Photographs
Key Details
The second booster must be administered no less than 4 months after the primary, and is identical energy as different Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine doses, although it may be administered following a primary booster from any licensed producer, the Meals and Drug Administration mentioned in a statement.
Folks 12 and older with sure sorts of immune problems may also be eligible for a second booster dose of the Pfizer shot, the FDA mentioned, whereas these 18 and older who’re immunocompromised can obtain one other Moderna dose.
The up to date emergency use authorization is predicated partly on real-world research in Israel, which discovered a second booster improved antibody exercise towards delta, omicron and different coronavirus variants with out revealing any new questions of safety.
Essential Quote
“The FDA’s endorsement of a second booster dose will enable hundreds of thousands of People to construct and keep safety towards SARS-CoV-2,” mentioned Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.
Key Background
Pfizer applied for emergency use authorization for a second booster dose for individuals ages 65 and older on March 15, with Moderna submitting a request on March 17 for a second booster dose for all adults. When contemplating an emergency use authorization request, the FDA should weigh the potential dangers and advantages of a therapy for a specific group. The FDA has normally been fast to approve new photographs for older individuals, who’re at greater risk for extreme sickness and loss of life attributable to Covid-19. On September 22, the FDA authorized Pfizer’s first booster dose for everybody 65 and older and for youthful individuals susceptible to extreme signs. Nevertheless, a second booster will in all probability be essential for everybody because the omicron variant continues to decrease the effectiveness of the primary booster, Bourla told the Washington Publish March 10.
Tangent
Older individuals are already among the many most vaccinated within the U.S. About 95% of individuals 65 and older have acquired no less than one Covid-19 shot in comparison with 76.9% of the overall inhabitants, 89% have been totally vaccinated versus 65.5% of People general and 67.2% have acquired a booster shot in comparison with 44.8% of the entire inhabitants, in accordance with knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Huge Quantity
559 million. That’s what number of Covid-19 vaccine photographs have been administered within the U.S., in accordance with the CDC.
Additional Studying
“Pfizer Reportedly Set To Request Authorization For Second Covid Booster Shot For Seniors” (Forbes)
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