Eligibility for COVID-19 Boosters Expanded to All Adults

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of the primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Prior to today’s announcement, a single Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccine was authorized for administration to individuals 65 years of age or older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19, and individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Today’s action expands the use of booster doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to include individuals 18 years of age and older at least six months after the completion of the primary vaccine series of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines or at least two months after completion of the primary vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Following the FDA’s amendments to the EUAs, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) considered updating its recommendations. That decision came this afternoon when the ACIP voted unanimously to recommend that the CDC expand eligibility for COVID-19 boosters. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed the ACIP recommendation, clearing the way for all adults ages 18 and older who received a Moderna or Pfizer-BioN-Tech vaccine at least six months after their second dose.

Recall, last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) clarified expectations for the administration of booster doses, urging vaccine providers to not turn away a patient who is requesting a booster if the patient is 18 or over and has met the appropriate duration of time after their primary vaccination series.

Additional information from the FDA is available here.