FDA Okays Another Booster of Moderna & Pfizer Vaccines for Immunocompromised, Americans Fifty and Older

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Sodium chloride is measured to be added to a phial of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine concentrate ready for administration at Guy's Hospital at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in the UK's history on December 8, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. More than 50 hospitals across England were designated as covid-19 vaccine hubs, the first stage of what will be a lengthy vaccination campaign. NHS staff, over-80s, and care home residents will be among the first to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which recently received emergency approval from the country's health authorities. (Photo by Victoria Jones - Pool / Getty Images)

As COVID-19 infections soar in Europe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized on Tuesday a second booster shot of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for Americans fifty and older.

Today, a second booster dose of mRNA vaccine was given an EUA by @FDACBER for certain populations. For those who have already received a single booster dose, the addition of another dose was shown to help save lives and prevent severe outcomes among our highest risk patients. https://t.co/s0zY2IznSN
— Dr. Robert M. Califf (@DrCaliff_FDA) March 29, 2022

CNBC reports:

The FDA also said it authorized a second Pfizer booster shot for people age 12 and older who have compromised immune systems, and a second Moderna booster for adults ages 18 and older with compromised immune systems. The new boosters are administered at least fourth months after the last shot.

The New York Times adds:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to issue some kind of advice on who should consider getting the shot as early as Tuesday. As of late last week, officials were planning to present the second booster essentially as an option that older Americans or people with underlying medical conditions should consider.

“The extra doses will be available for use at physician offices, retail pharmacies, nursing homes and other vaccination sites once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off, which is expected to be soon,” notes The Wall Street Journal.

The Associated Press provides context:

The move comes at a time of great uncertainty. COVID-19 cases have dropped to low levels after the winter surge of the super-contagious omicron variant. Two vaccine doses plus a booster still provide strong protection against severe disease and death, CDC data show.
But an omicron sibling is causing causing a worrisome jump in infections in Europe — and spreading in the U.S. — even as vaccination has stalled. About two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, and half of those eligible for a first booster haven’t gotten one.

A new wave and a new booster?
Thoughts on the BA.2 wave in the United States and whether the 2nd booster vaccine will helphttps://t.co/Ni6O3DM8xl pic.twitter.com/kzsULItz0R
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) March 29, 2022

CNBC adds:

Health experts disagree on whether a fourth vaccine dose is needed right now, though the debate is nuanced. There is broader agreement that the elderly or immune compromised may benefit from additional protection. Another booster shot for young, healthy adults is more controversial, as they are less susceptible to severe illness from Covid.
Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said some scientists believe the only purpose of the shots is to keep people out of the hospital. However, Hotez said vaccine policy should also seek to prevent infection and long Covid. The effectiveness of the third dose against hospitalization from omicron has also declined over time, he said.