On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted authorization for additional doses of Pfizer and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines specifically designed for the omicron variant, targeting seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems.
According to the FDA, seniors aged 65 and older who have already received a vaccine targeting the omicron BA.5 subvariant are now eligible for an additional dose, to be administered at least four months after their last shot.
Individuals with weakened immune systems can receive another dose of the omicron-targeted vaccine at least two months after their previous dose, with the option for additional doses as recommended by their healthcare provider.
For children aged 6 months to 5 years who have not been vaccinated, Moderna’s omicron vaccine is now available as a full two-dose series.
Children aged 6 months to 4 years can receive a three-dose series of Pfizer’s omicron-targeted vaccine. Children aged 5 years can receive either two doses of Moderna’s vaccine or a single dose of Pfizer’s.
Children under 5 who have already begun their vaccination series with earlier Covid vaccines designed for the original virus strain can switch to omicron-targeted vaccines to complete their course.
The number of doses required will depend on whether they initially received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Despite a substantial reduction in the pandemic’s impact, Covid-19 continues to cause over 1,300 deaths per week in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On average, approximately 1,600 people remain hospitalized with Covid-19 daily.
Dr. Peter Marks, who oversees vaccines at the FDA, emphasized, “Covid-19 remains a significant threat for many individuals, and we encourage people to consider maintaining up-to-date vaccination, including with a bivalent Covid-19 vaccine.”
The FDA initially authorized omicron BA.5 vaccines last August, though this subvariant has since been replaced by omicron variant XBB.1.5.
The agency plans to update the vaccine’s target variant in June, ahead of the upcoming fall respiratory virus season.
