FDA authorizes booster of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Federal officials have authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, with a focus on several higher-risk groups.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the booster is for people in three specific groups, at least six months after receiving the standard two doses of the vaccine. They are: people age 65 or older; ages 18-64 and at high risk of severe COVID-19; and ages 18-64 and at high risk of the virus due to “frequent institutional or occupational exposure”.
The FDA decision amended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's emergency use authorization. Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock noted the context of the decision.
“This pandemic is dynamic and evolving, with new data about vaccine safety and effectiveness becoming available every day,” Woodcock said in a statement. “As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed.”
Before the booster is made available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its advisers still have to detail who should receive the extra shot, according to The Washington Post. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to make its recommendation on Thursday. After full approval, the booster is expected to be available at pharmacies and some doctor’s offices as soon as this week, the Post reported.
States have been gearing up to prepare for this approval, including Vermont. At Tuesday’s state press conference, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said registration for Pfizer booster shots should start the day after they receive full approval.
“We have been actively planning for those that may qualify for boosters, making some assumptions so that we could be ready when approval comes through,” Smith said.
All this comes as the nation continues to face the Delta variant of COVID-19, however recent statistics show that cases are beginning to come down in some western and southern states where cases skyrocketed at the beginning of the Delta wave, according to data announced at Tuesday’s Vermont press conference. That trend has not yet hit New England, Vermont officials said Tuesday.
Statewide, 87.4% of Vermonters had received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as of Tuesday, and over 78% were fully vaccinated. Though Vermont’s hospitalizations due to the virus have trended upward in the past week, officials said Vermont continues to have the fewest COVID hospitalizations of any U.S. state.
— Gareth Henderson
Update (9/23/21): The state has issued an update at this link about starting initial Pfizer booster shots on Friday, Sept. 24, as well as details about availability in the coming weeks.
Update (9/24/21): Following this morning’s announcement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., the state will expand eligibility for booster shots to people aged 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions on Friday, Oct. 1. It is anticipated these conditions will be more specifically defined by the CDC later today.
