FDA OKs another Pfizer, Moderna COVID booster for 50 and up

Written by sidhanta

U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older, a step to offer extra protection for the most vulnerable in case the coronavirus rebounds. 

The Food and Drug Administration’s decision opens a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to those people at least four months after their previous booster. 

Until now, the FDA had cleared fourth doses only for people 12 and older who have severely weakened immune systems.  

The latest expansion, regardless of people’s health, allows an extra shot to millions more Americans — and the question is whether everyone who’s eligible should rush out and get it. 

The move comes at a time of great uncertainty. COVID-19 cases have dropped to low levels after the winter surge of the super-contagious omicron variant. 

Two vaccine doses plus a booster still provide strong protection against severe disease and death, CDC data show. 

But an omicron sibling is causing causing a worrisome jump in infections in Europe — and spreading in the U.S.  

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