## FDA Approves Boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to administer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Pending approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these boosters could be available in pharmacies as early as next week.
Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner of the FDA, emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing severe outcomes of COVID-19. She stated, “The available data suggest waning immunity in some populations who are fully vaccinated. The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.”
Furthermore, the FDA has confirmed the safety of mixing different initial vaccines and boosters. This means individuals can receive a booster from a different manufacturer than their original vaccine.
U.S. regulators OK booster shots for the Moderna and J&J coronavirus vaccines as well as mixing and matching booster doses among the three authorized vaccines. https://t.co/DGPGXPAe99
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 20, 2021
Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s vaccine arm, highlighted the benefit of interchangeability between vaccines, similar to the approach seen with flu vaccines. This flexibility aims to simplify the process of receiving boosters.
Currently, the boosters are recommended for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. However, as more data becomes available, the FDA and CDC may expand eligibility criteria to include a broader range of individuals.
