FDA Advisory Committee Unanimously Recommends Moderna Booster Shot

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee unanimously recommended Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine booster shot on the 14th (local time). This is the second recommendation following Pfizer last month.

According to AP News and others, the FDA advisory committee, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), made this decision by unanimous vote at the meeting held that day.

The eligible recipients are seniors aged 65 and older who received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, as well as individuals aged 18-64 with underlying health conditions and those at high risk. The booster shot dosage is half of the regular dose.

The FDA advisory committee's decision is a recommendation and not legally binding, but the FDA generally accepts it. However, even after FDA approval, the vaccine must go through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) review process for use within the United States.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to discuss whether to recommend the Moderna booster shot on the 20th and 21st.

However, the advisory committee's recommendation was not without challenges. During the meeting, committee members criticized the lack of more robust data to prove the validity of the booster shot.

Meanwhile, the advisory committee will also vote on whether to recommend the Janssen booster shot on the 15th.

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