SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shots may be just days away from FDA authorization.
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Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Regional Campuses at UCSF, told KCBS Radio's "Ask An Expert" the timeline for authorization continues to get shorter and shorter.
"First we thought it was going to be the beginning of November, now mid-September and now we're hearing maybe after Labor Day," he said. "The CDC is meeting on Sept. 1 and 2, and the FDA is already lined up to really be poised to give this formal approval."
Chin-Hong said health experts are hoping the FDA authorizes the bivalent vaccine in early September, but a question mark still lies on when the shots will be ready. "The only question is how much will come off the production line. We know that the Biden administration has paid for 105 million doses of Pfizer and 66 million doses of Moderna, but they’re probably not all going to be ready all at once," he explained.
Unlike when the first COVID-19 vaccine was released, Chin-Hong said he doesn't anticipate long lines or unavailable appointments to receive this shot.
"People have gotten boosters at different times, so everyone has a different immunological picture, everybody has a different risk and benefit scenario," he said. "I hope as many people as those early lines would run out and get it, but given the fact that we're seeing a lull right now and approaching an even bigger lull in COVID disease in the country and in the world, people might not feel as pressed to go run out and get it."
The new booster will most likely be recommended for everyone over the age of 12, Chin-Hong predicted, but said he's unsure if this will be from the beginning. "My suspicion is that it probably will be the highest risk people eligible first – that is those over 65, those who are immunocompromised and possibly health care workers – but then opening it up beyond that depending on demand."
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