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US FDA Panel Rejects Pfizer's Broad COVID Booster Plan But Backs Narrower Authorization For Third Vaccine Shot

 
• By Sue Sutter

Advisory committee meeting reflected internal tensions among FDA staff on need for boosters and adequacy of the data; mRNA vaccine Comirnaty should be authorized for a third dose in populations at high risk for severe disease or exposure, panel says after overwhelmingly rejecting Pfizer's bid for booster approval in the 16-and-older population. 

Jaws of shark
A second, hastily written voting question on boosters allowed FDA leaders and the Biden Administration to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. • Source: Alamy

US Food and Drug Administration leaders and the Biden Administration snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on 17 September when an advisory committee voted that Pfizer Inc./BioNTech SE’s Comirnaty mRNA vaccine should be authorized for a third or “booster” dose in populations at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 or resulting severe disease.

The Vaccines and Biological Products Advisory Committee’s unanimous vote on authorization for a high-risk population followed an overwhelmingly negative vote on full licensure of a

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More from US FDA Performance Tracker

Keep Talking: US FDA’s Beleaguered Biologics Center Remains Vital To Regenerative Medicine

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Advisory committee for Capricor’s deriamocel planned, regenerative medicine advanced therapy designations proliferate for osteoarthritis, and the ranks of dual RMAT/breakthrough therapy designation holders grow.

Maybe In May: US FDA Calls Coming On Moderna Next-Gen COVID-19 Vaccine, AbbVie’s Big ADC Bet

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The 31 May goal date for Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine looms over the month, but the US FDA's decision lineup includes three more novel agents, including AbbVie's Teliso-V antibody-drug conjugate, as well as supplemental indications like GSK's bid for Nucala in COPD.

AMR-Targeting Drug Secures EMA PRIME Designation

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Antabio’s next-generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial, MEM-ANT3310, has made it onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme. The company says its product is designed to make a significant impact on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

US FDA’s Review Performance Held Steady Despite Stormy First Quarter

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Organizational turmoil has not yet affected reviews of novel agent applications, with Q1 2025 approvals coming in low, but the first quarter share of the entire year is variable.

More from Regulatory Trackers

AMR-Targeting Drug Secures EMA PRIME Designation

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Antabio’s next-generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial, MEM-ANT3310, has made it onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme. The company says its product is designed to make a significant impact on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Global Pharma Guidance Tracker - March 2025

 
• By Vibha Sharma and Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Stay up to date on regulatory guidelines from around the world with the Pink Sheet’s Guidance Tracker. The complete Global Pharma Guidance Tracker, with sortable and searchable listings going back to 2014, is available online.

US FDA’s Review Performance Held Steady Despite Stormy First Quarter

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Organizational turmoil has not yet affected reviews of novel agent applications, with Q1 2025 approvals coming in low, but the first quarter share of the entire year is variable.