Pfizer and BioNTech have asked the FDA to approve adult boosters on an urgent basis as and even Moderna expected the same.
The Booster shots are great for adults, especially those over 65. They can prevent serious consequences of the disease and people who are regularly exposed to the virus are at an increased risk of infection even after vaccination.
Booster Shots May Be Available For All US Adults From This Week
As per some reports, The US FDA is expected to approve boosters for adults soon enough. But there is no fixed time when the decision will be taken.
The Influential US Advisory Group will discuss expanding eligibility for COVID-19 booster doses for all adults on Friday, allowing vaccines to be made available nationwide this weekend.
Some states have already passed legislation that allows every adult to be eligible to take Pfizer booster shots as per their needs. The states are getting frustrated and have taken directed medical authorities for the same. California, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia, Colorado, and New York are amongst those states.
The Booster shots are now recommended for people who have received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna to 65 years old adults and above who are at high risk of getting Covid 19 due to work, health, or living conditions. A booster dose is also recommended for those who received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months prior.
Nevertheless, officials fear the winter tides that hit the United States, giving the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FDA and Drug Administration an additional opportunity for all adults in the jurisdiction to speak before scientists and regulators speak. The FDA could take action as early as Thursday. The booster is already available to those who say they are eligible without documentation, and nearly 90% of vaccinated US adults fall under existing CDC guidelines.
Why are boosters important now?
The virus that continues to spread to millions of unvaccinated people can be prevented with a booster shot. Things are changing now, and even after being fully vaccinated, people still have mild or severe symptoms of the infection. The FDA is concerned about the reduction in the effectiveness of both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Basically, this means that you can see symptoms of a breakthrough infection in people who have been fully vaccinated.
According to experts, booster vaccinations can increase antibody levels, which is a great help in preventing infection and also reduces the spread of the virus. The FDA approved additional doses of the PfizerBioNTech COVID19 vaccine for all US adults this week, which could dramatically increase access to additional injections for tens of millions of Americans, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is meeting on Friday to convene an independent panel of experts to review Pfizer’s application for widespread distribution of booster packs for all the adults in the US. The company sought permission from regulators earlier this month amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, especially as it prepares for the busy winter holiday season.