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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared on Tuesday that individuals who are seniors or have compromised immune systems can receive an additional dose of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine during this spring.
According to the FDA, individuals who are 65 years and older can receive a booster shot of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their initial dose. This vaccine guards against both the original and omicron strains of COVID-19. Additionally, those with weakened immune systems can obtain a booster at least two months after their last vaccine dose, as determined by their physician.
As per the agency, the FDA’s statement was a component of a larger initiative to streamline the COVID-19 vaccine timetable for individuals in the United States. Along with this announcement on Tuesday, the FDA revoked its emergency use authorization for the initial mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, which are acknowledged with safeguarding tens of millions of lives throughout the pandemic. The FDA stated that only the bivalent vaccines will be accessible from now on.
Individuals, both adults, and children, who have received only the original COVID-19 vaccine are still qualified to receive a dose of the bivalent vaccine created by either Moderna or Pfizer. According to Peter Marks, M.D., who is the director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, approximately 75% of Americans under the age of 65 are eligible to obtain a bivalent vaccine booster, but they haven’t received it yet. Dr. Marks made this announcement during a media briefing on Tuesday morning.
According to the FDA, individuals who have not received any COVID-19 vaccines only require a single dose of the bivalent vaccine instead of the two-shot sequence linked with the original vaccines. The agency further stated that unvaccinated children between 6 months to 5 years of age can receive a two-dose series of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or a three-dose series of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine.
Although the FDA’s statement did not rule out the possibility of additional boosters in the future, especially if a new COVID-19 variant starts spreading throughout the United States. The agency stated that an advisory committee will evaluate the expected COVID-19 strain composition for the autumn in June and assess whether another booster shot will be required during that season.
Source: FDA
