FDA to Authorize Pfizer, Moderna Booster Shots For Immunocompromised People Within 48 Hours
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to authorize the booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna within the next 48 hours.
The news was confirmed by a source familiar with the FDA's discussion regarding the supplementary jabs against the COVID-19. However, the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told CNN that the announcement could slide, but this is the current timing.
The booster shot would be the third jab of the Pfizer and Moderna, which is known to be authorized with only two doses.
Pfizer and Moderna Booster Shots to be Approved by FDA
In July, a panel of advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) met and urged action on the booster shots for "immunocompromised" adults.
The source confirmed that the FDA "closely" monitors the data from studies overseeing an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna for immunocompromised adults. Furthermore, the source also pointed out that the FDA is working with CDC to evaluate "potential options" with the issue.
NBC News reported that immunocompromised adults include people receiving cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, and people with HIV, among others.
Doctors revealed that the said demographics are still vulnerable against COVID even after they were vaccinated because they may not be able to mount enough immune response to the shots.
CDC highlighted that about 2.7 percent or equivalent to nine million people are immunocompromised due to their disease or the medications they take.
"We've been concerned about these individuals [immunocompromised]. We've been following them closely and I think most of us believe that we've got to do more to protect these individuals," U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in an interview with CNN's "The Situation Room."
Although the source confirmed that the booster shots were intended for the immunocompromised adults, it was still unclear which of the specific group under the demographic would be covered by the said FDA action.
However, Murthy noted that the CDC would make sure that the guidance would be clear and available for immunocompromised people.
The FDA is the agency that gives authorization, while the CDC decides whether to use or not the vaccine authorized by the FDA. The CDC advisory group may vote on Friday in officially endorsing a third shot for immunocompromised people.
Fauci: Booster Shot Needed by Elderlies
The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, earlier pointed out that the seniors may also need booster shots.
Early this week, Fauci noted that the elderlies need the supplementary shots because, over time, the protection against SARS-CoV-2 would decrease. The NIH director cited data from Pfizer that revealed the percentage of protection from 90 going down to 84 after a few months.
Fauci said the decrease of the protection would put the nation in need of supplementary or booster shots.
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Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: FDA Expected to Authorize Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Shots for Immunocompromised People - From WSVN-TV