The Food and Drug Administration unanimously endorsed boosters for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine recipients who are 65 and older or at high risk of becoming seriously ill from the disease.
The decision identically reflects the recommendations the FDA recently issued regarding the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The panel of experts said barring any new developments, they saw no reason not to justify boosters for the second mRNA vaccine.
The same expert panel is expected to debate boosters for Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 recipients on Friday. Data from the National Institutes of Health suggests those who got the J&J vaccine could benefit from a booster shot of an mRNA vaccine.
Pressured to share its vaccine formula with other companies to boost vaccine supply in other countries, Moderna said it instead hopes to scale up production itself.
The Biden administration urged Moderna to “step up” its efforts to help underdeveloped nations. At the same time, the White House is encouraging everyone to get a booster shot.
Scientists in Israel published data showing booster shots helped prevent patients from developing serious illnesses about 60-80%.
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