According to someone familiar with the plans, Pfizer and BioNTech will seek U.S. approval this week for a second Covid-19 booster vaccine for people 65 years and older.
The Food and Drug Administration would authorize the extra shot to be given to people at highest risk for serious illness and death due Covid.
FDA approved booster shots for anyone 12 years old or older, on an emergency basis.
Multiple studies show that protection from the initial booster dose starts to fade after several months, especially against the omicron version of the coronavirus.
Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, said Friday that the company was nearing submitting data on a fourth dose to the FDA after scientists discovered that the vaccine’s protection had waned after only three to four months.
The Washington Post first reported the news. stated that Pfizer could apply for authorization as soon as Tuesday.
Pfizer and the FDA did not respond immediately to our requests for comment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone aged 12 and over receive a booster five to six months after they have received their second shot of either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or two months after they have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
According to the CDC, more than 66 percent have been granted a booster for their 65-year-old eligibility.
It’s not clear if everyone who is eligible for the Pfizer booster will be granted one. The U.S. government currently has only enough doses to treat immunocompromised patients to offer a fourth shot. A senior administration official stated Tuesday.
Health experts have indicated that additional shots are likely to be required, but it is not yet clear when or how often.
Experts are still unsure if everyone will require an extra dose. However, it is sensible for the elderly to get their vaccines first, according to Dr. Anna Durbin at Johns Hopkins University.
She stated, “Because they know that their immune systems don’t work as well as they should and that they are more at risk for serious disease.”
