U.S. FDA allows Pfizer and Moderna booster doses for all

This is a shot in the arm for the vaccine manufacturers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines authorizing the use of a single booster dose for all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved Covid-19 vaccine.

"Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the FDA has worked to make timely public health decisions as the pandemic evolves. Covid-19 vaccines have proven to be the best and highly effective defence against Covid-19. Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against Covid-19, including the serious consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death," said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.

Before today's authorizations, a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines was authorized for administration to individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe Covid-19 and individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Today's action expands the use of booster doses of both vaccines to include all individuals 18 years of age and older at least six months after completion of the primary vaccination series of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine or at least two months after completion of primary vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.