As Breakthrough Infections Continue... US Considers Expanding Booster Shots to Those Aged 40 and Over

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] U.S. health authorities are considering expanding the eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots from those aged 65 and older to those aged 40 and older.

Major foreign media reported on the 19th (local time) that "the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing lowering the age for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shots."

Currently, in the U.S., booster shots are being administered to high-risk groups including seniors aged 65 and older who received their second Pfizer dose at least six months ago, residents of long-term care facilities, healthcare workers, teachers, emergency responders, and grocery store employees.

A source told CNN, "As breakthrough infections have been occurring among those under 65 who completed vaccination, health authorities felt the need to expand the booster shot eligibility."

Many members of the FDA advisory committee, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), also support expanding the booster shot coverage. Stanley Perlman, a professor at the University of Iowa, said, "Initially, we did not consider expanding booster eligibility to younger age groups because severe illness rates were low, but now I support it."

VRBPAC is scheduled to discuss booster shot-related matters on the 21st.

Meanwhile, the FDA may also propose approving mix-and-match booster shots for Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines. The Associated Press, citing anonymous sources, reported, "Health authorities are expected to approve mix-and-match booster shots within this week."

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