FDA Authorizes Second Booster Shot for Americans Over 50

March 29, 2022 by Dan McCue
FDA Authorizes Second Booster Shot for Americans Over 50
Vials for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are seen at a temporary clinic in Exeter, N.H., on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

WASHINGTON — Bypassing its review panel of independent experts, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a fourth dose of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccine for people 50 and older.

The authorization for the fourth shot comes as an omicron subvariant, BA.2, has been causing a new wave of infections in Europe and China.

Health officials say BA.2 is also gaining ground in the U.S., and is expected to become the dominant variant here in the coming weeks. 

FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said Tuesday that everyone who has yet to get a first booster shot should get one.



The second booster is only for these higher-risk groups because “current evidence suggests some waning of protection” for them, he said.

BA.2 generally does not make people sicker than the earlier version of omicron, BA.1, and the vaccines have the same level of effectiveness against both types of the variant, according to recent studies that have yet to undergo peer review.


It’s unclear whether the FDA will eventually approve a fourth dose of the vaccine for younger adults, as health experts disagree on whether it is needed or not.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue.

A+
a-

In The News

Health

Voting

Health

March 20, 2023
by Dan McCue
‘Ted Lasso,’ Mental Health Share Center Stage at White House

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are teaming up with AppleTV+’s “Ted Lasso” on Monday... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are teaming up with AppleTV+’s “Ted Lasso” on Monday to highlight “the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall well being.” The first couple are set to host actor Jason Sudeikis and other... Read More

Higher Cancer Rates Found in Military Pilots, Ground Crews

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon study has found high rates of cancer among military pilots and for the first time has shown... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon study has found high rates of cancer among military pilots and for the first time has shown that ground crews who fuel, maintain and launch those aircraft are also getting sick. The data had long been sought by retired military aviators who have... Read More

Trump Silent on Abortion as 2024 Campaign Pushes Forward

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump. But... Read More

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump. But in the early days of the 2024 presidential contest, no Republican has worked harder to avoid the issue than the former president. Far more than his... Read More

March 17, 2023
by Dan McCue
Still No Word on Whether Biden Will Sign COVID Intelligence Bill

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday ignored shouted questions from reporters about whether he’ll sign legislation that unanimously passed... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday ignored shouted questions from reporters about whether he’ll sign legislation that unanimously passed Congress last week calling for declassification of information on the origins of COVID-19. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was still making... Read More

California Bill to Protect Doctors Who Mail Abortion Pills

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to people in other states would be protected from... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to people in other states would be protected from prosecution under a new bill to be unveiled Friday in the state Legislature. The bill would not let California extradite doctors who are facing charges in... Read More

US Pregnancy Deaths Dropped in 2022, After COVID Spike

NEW YORK (AP) — Deaths of pregnant women in the U.S. fell in 2022, dropping significantly from a six-decade high... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — Deaths of pregnant women in the U.S. fell in 2022, dropping significantly from a six-decade high during the pandemic, new data suggests. More than 1,200 U.S. women died in 2021 during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth, according to a final tally released... Read More

News From The Well
scroll top