FDA panel endorses boosters for some

Panel of outside experts rejected boosters for all but recommended boosters for older adults, healthcare workers and others at high risk of COVID exposure

In one of the more complicated FDA advisory panel meetings that I have observed, the panel of outside experts recommended against FDA approval of a third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 16 and older who received the first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

However, after the vote on the question that the agency asked the advisors to address, the panel informally endorsed expansion of the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to allow booster doses for people who were in the initial wave of vaccination — adults over 65, healthcare workers, and others whose jobs put them at high risk of COVID-19 exposure.

The FDA is not required to follow advisory panel recommendations, but the experts’ guidance is given considerable weight. Expect FDA to announce next steps soon — likely within days.