Pouch Suggests Expansion of Booster Shot Eligibility

Moderna and Janssen Booster Shot Data to Be Released Soon
Vaccine Approval for Children Under 12 Expected This Fall

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), suggested on the 19th (local time) that the eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to extend and strengthen immunity could be expanded.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Fauci appeared on ABC News that day and said that as more data comes in about how the initial two vaccine doses work, the booster shot plan is expected to change.

Fauci explained, "More data is being accumulated in real time," and "As continuous reviews of that data are conducted, recommendations regarding eligibility may be revised."

President Joe Biden initially announced last month that starting the week of September 20, booster shots would be offered to all Americans who have completed Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations more than eight months ago.

Fauci also said that data on whether Moderna and Janssen vaccine boosters are needed will be available in a few weeks, urging patience and to wait until booster shot eligibility is granted.

Fauci reaffirmed that the approval timing for vaccines for children under 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination, is expected to be this fall. He said, "Sometime in mid to late fall, we will see enough data to make a decision on vaccinating children aged 5 to 11."

Meanwhile, Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), also appeared on CBS that day and agreed with Fauci’s remarks, saying that the category of people eligible for booster shots is likely to expand in the coming weeks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.