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COVID-19 Vaccine Second Booster Authorization A ‘Stopgap Measure,’ US FDA’s Marks Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

CBER director says agency understands 'we simply can't be boosting people as frequently as we are,' but wants to give older and immunocompromised individuals extra protection now while FDA considers whether and when formulations should be modified ahead of an expected surge this fall.

COVID vaccine booster
A "stopgap measure" is how FDA's Peter Marks described the recent authorization of a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. • Source: Alamy

The US Food and Drug Administration’s recent authorization of a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose in certain populations was a “stopgap measure” until plans are in place for a potentially new formulation ahead of an expected case surge next winter, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research director Peter Marks said.

On 29 March, the FDA authorized a second booster of the Pfizer Inc./BioNTech SE and Moderna, Inc.'s mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for individuals 50 years and older. A second booster dose also was authorized for immunocompromised individuals ≥12 years for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and ≥18 years for the Moderna vaccine. The second booster may be given at least four months after the first booster

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

 
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