U.S. Food and Drug Administration Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals

[Excerpt from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration]

Today, we authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.

We previously authorized a single booster dose for certain immunocompromised individuals following the completion of a three-dose primary vaccination series.

This action will now make a second booster dose of these vaccines available to other populations at higher risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

We amended the emergency use authorizations as follows:
➡️ A 2nd booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to people 50+ years old at least 4 months after receipt of a 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
➡️ A 2nd booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to people 12+ years old with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
➡️ A 2nd booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the 1st booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to people 18+ years old with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

Today’s action applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and the authorization of a single booster dose for other age groups with these vaccines remains unchanged.

We will continue to evaluate data and information as it becomes available when considering the potential use of a second booster dose in other age groups.