FDA Signs Off on Moderna, J&J Boosters, Mixing Vaccines
WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday said Americans who got either the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine can now get a COVID-19 booster, and also say that those eligible for a booster don’t have to get the same brand as their initial shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are scheduled to take up the FDA recommendation on Thursday.
Previously the FDA had only approved the Pfizer vaccine for a booster shot.
Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for people 65 years of age or older, and others at high risk for COVID-19 infection because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions to be administered six months after their second shot.
As for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the FDA said a single booster dose of the vaccine may be administered at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently and have different initial dosing schedules.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue.
