FDA Gives Green Signal To Second Omicron-Adapted Booster Shots For People At High Risk From Covid

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  • On Tuesday, the FDA amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of Moderna Inc MRNA and Pfizer Inc PFE, and BioNTech SE's BNTX COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines to simplify the vaccination schedule. 
  • This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered to individuals six months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations. 
  • The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized in the U.S.
  • Also Read: Large Vaccine Players Including GSK, Moderna Prepare For Bird Flu Vaccine 'Just In Case'
  • Those 65 and older can get a second dose of the updated versions of Pfizer-BioNTech's and Moderna's Covid booster at least four months after their last dose, the FDA said in a statement. 
  • According to the agency, most immunocompromised people can get an additional dose at least two months after their last dose.
  • Most unvaccinated individuals may receive a single dose of a bivalent vaccine rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccines, FDA said.
  • Unvaccinated children six months through 5 years can receive a two-dose series of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or a three-dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. 
  • Children five years of age may receive two doses of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. 
  • The booster shots were reformulated last August to target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants in addition to the original strain of the virus.
  • Photo by Johaehn from Pixabay
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