The Food and Drug Administration authorized the second COVID-19 booster shot for adults 50 and older. They will be able to receive their second booster as early as four months after their first booster dose. Previously, the FDA allowed additional COVID-19 shots for anyone 12 or older who is severely immune-deficient. Thus, making five doses – three-dose primary series and two boosters.
“Current evidence suggests some waning of protection overtime against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals. Based on an analysis of emerging data, a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could help increase protection levels for these higher-risk individuals,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Additionally, the data show that an initial booster dose is critical in helping to protect all adults from the potentially severe outcomes of COVID-19.”
Benefits of Second Booster
The FDA determined that the potential benefits of an additional booster outweighed the potential risks for this age range. The CDC stated that any adult who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary and first booster may now get an additional booster of Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccine. In addition, this current expansion allows an extra shot for millions more Americans.
About two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and half of those eligible for a first booster haven’t gotten one. Fortunately, COVID-19 cases have dropped after the winter surge of the Omicron variant. Regardless of people’s health, the latest expansion allows an extra shot to millions more Americans. FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks implores that everyone eligible for their first booster should receive it. However, the second booster is only for higher-risk groups.
