On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans ages 18 and above.
As the number of new cases continues to surge, the FDA’s move would expand access to Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines.
The nation has been experiencing an alarming surge of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with daily cases increased to 35%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On Friday afternoon, the CDC gave its final approval, making all American adults now eligible to receive vaccine boosters.
The FDA and CDC’s decision allows an extra dose of protection for tens of millions of fully vaccinated Americans as public officials have been expressing concerns over another potential surge during the winter.
Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting FDA Commissioner, said, “Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against COVID-19, including the serious consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death.”
Dr. Peter Marks, Director, FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said, “The FDA has determined that the currently available data support expanding the eligibility of a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 18 years of age and older.”
Dr. Marks added that streamlining the eligibility criteria will help to eliminate confusion over who may receive a booster shot, according to BioSpace.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the booster shots hours after the FDA’s decision to approve the boosters to everyone who is 18 and above.
The move would allow boosters for those who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines six months after their second dose. For those who received a single-dose J&J vaccine, the waiting period will only be two months.
Dr. Walensky said, “After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster.”
“Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s 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. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose,” she added.
