FDA to Consider Future of COVID Booster Doses
March 21, 2022 — FDA Today announced its vaccine advisory committee would meet on April 6 to discuss the future of COVID-19 booster doses and determine if a particular strain of coronavirus needs its vaccine. The independent experts of the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Related Biological Products will be joined by representatives from the CDC and the National Institutes of Health. According to the FDA statement, no voting and company-specific vaccines will not be discussed. “As we prepare for the future needs of COVID-19, prevention in the form of vaccines remains our best defense against the disease and any potentially serious consequences,” said Peter Marks, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biological Evaluation and Research. The message says.
The experts at the meeting will discuss what might force them to change. The vaccine formula to target it with specific options for when and to whom a booster dose should be given.
Omicron that appears to be more contagious
Infectious disease specialists are watching BA.2, a sub-variant of Omicron that appears to be more contagious than the first strain. BA.2 is causing outbreaks in Europe and is becoming more prevalent in the US.
BA.2 accounted for 23% of new COVID-19 cases in the week ending March 12. last estimate from the CDC, up from 13.7% a week earlier.
FDA will provide public access to reference materials no later than 2 business days before the meeting.
The meeting will be broadcast live agency youtube channel and posted as a webcast on the FDA website.
The CDC currently recommends vaccination and booster for everyone aged 12 years and older and two doses for children 5 to 11 years of age. People with a weakened immune system strongly advise undergoing a second booster.
Last week, Moderna and Pfizer requested FDA approval for a second COVID-19 booster shot. Moderna’s request was for all adults, while Pfizer’s was for those 65.
Moderna wants to offer the fourth dose to a wide age range to give health authorities “flexibility” to decide which age groups will benefit the most. The company said in a statement.
