USA – FDA authorizes second round of mRNA boosters for older and immunocompromised people

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday signed off on a second round of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for immunocompromised individuals and people 50 years of age and older.

The agency said the boosters can be administered four months after receiving the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine in both populations.

The populations covered by the latest authorizations differ from those sought by the two vaccine makers. Pfizer had initially submitted its request for individuals ages 65 and older, while Moderna sought authorization for a second booster for all adults.

In its announcement of the expanded emergency use authorizations (EAUs) for the two vaccines, FDA said, “This action will now make a second booster dose of these vaccines available to other populations at a higher risk for severe disease, hospitalization and death. Emerging evidence suggests that a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe COVID-19 and is not associated with new safety concerns.”…