FDA authorizes boosters for some patients

Photo Cred: Mat Napo/Unsplash

By Katherine Shagoury

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose in some populations, according to an announcement made yesterday by the agency.

Boosters will be allowed six months after completion of the primary vaccine series for individuals 65 years of age and older; individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19; and individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.

The updated authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the agency said. The vaccination was originally approved by the FDA on August 23 in individuals 16 years of age and older.

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