FDA Panel Rejects Pfizer Vaccine Booster for All Americans, Recommends for 65+

A panel of expert outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted on Friday to recommend COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for Americans 65 and older and those at high risk of severe illness, after overwhelmingly rejecting a call for broader approval.

The panel also recommended that the FDA include healthcare workers and others at high risk of occupational exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, such as teachers.

The White House earlier on Friday said it was ready to roll out boosters of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine next week if health officials approve them. But Friday’s vote if followed by the FDA would represent a more modest rollout of booster shots than outlined by the Biden administration, which called for their widespread use six months after people received their first round of shots.

Panel members rejected Pfizer’s request for full approval for booster shots for those aged 16 and older. Instead, the advisory panel’s recommendation was for an emergency use authorization for the narrower group. – READ MORE