One Down, Two To Go: Pfizer/BioNTech Booster Decision Creates Pressure For More Extra Shot Authorizations

24 Sep 2021

Inequity created by limiting the mRNA vaccine’s third dose to only those individuals who received a primary series of the same vaccine, as well as resulting operational complexities, warrant consideration of a mix-and-match approach with Moderna and J&J products, CDC advisors say; however, FDA appears most focused on vetting manufacturer-specific data on homologous boosting.

Some CDC advisors are advocating for a mix-and-match approach to the currently available COVID-19 vaccines. • Source: Nielsen Hobbs

US regulators can expect to face increased pressure to allow mixing and matching of COVID-19 vaccines from different manufacturers following the authorization and recommendation for a booster dose of Pfizer Inc./BioNTech SE’s COVID-19 vaccine.

However, it appears the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are more likely to prioritize...