FDA Backs Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna Covid-19 Booster Shots for Adults

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have endorsed vaccine booster shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc. The shots will be available to adults who have crossed at least six month time period after receiving their second shot.

The U.S booster shot campaign will be led by CDC director Rochelle Walensky to provide more protection to the public ahead of the Christmas holidays. Dr Walensky said, “Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase peoples protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays.”

The advisory panel voted unanimously to provide vaccine to adults over the age of 50 and encourage booster shots to further strengthen the immune defense system. Over 600 million Pfizer doses and 500 million Moderna doses have been acquired by officials to begin the campaign. The CDC will provide instructions and direct healthcare officials on executing the booster shot campaign effectively.

However, the access to booster shots by federal health authorities created confusion for many people in the U.S. The new booster shot campaign will aim to remove all confusion and will specify who is eligible for the vaccine shot. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA center for vaccines stated, “Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”

©Photo: Matt Rourke/Associated Press