The Food and Drug Administration authorized Moderna’s and Pfizer’s Covid booster shots for all U.S. adults Friday — two months later than the Biden administration had wanted to begin giving the extra doses — as growing data shows the efficacy of vaccines wanes over time.
The emergency use authorization comes after the companies in the last week submitted new data supporting the third doses. Scientists advising the FDA had rejected the administration’s original plans to start distributing boosters to all adults the week of Sept. 20, citing a lack of supporting data. Moderna resubmitted its application just two days ago.
FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock cleared the doses without the usual public meeting to review the new data. The companies announced the decision Friday morning.
“This emergency use authorization comes at a critical time as we enter the winter months and face increasing COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations across the country,” Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement.
Read more at CNBC News.