CDC panel recommends COVID-19 booster shots for certain populations

On September 22nd, the FDA authorized administering a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, six months after completing the primary vaccination series, for eligible individuals.

As per the FDA, eligible individuals include people aged 65 and above, people aged 18-64 at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, and individuals aged 18-64 with frequent exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to their jobs.

On September 23rd, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and above and for people aged 18-64 with underlying health conditions.

The ACIP voted 9-6 against the recommendation of the single booster dose for people aged 18-64 at high risk of COVID-19 complications due to frequent institutional or occupational exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Later, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, deviating slightly from the ACIP’s recommendations, endorsed the use of booster shots for individuals aged 18-64 with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well.