FDA shortens interval for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster
The Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to shorten the time between the completion of a primary series of the vaccine and a booster dose to at least five months for individuals 18 years old and older.
“The country is in the middle of a wave of the highly contagious omicron variant, which spreads more rapidly than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and other variants that have emerged,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
[Read more: Retailers begin offering Moderna, J&J COVID-19 booster shots]
Marks added, “Vaccination is our best defense against COVID-19, including the circulating variants, and shortening the length of time between completion of a primary series and a booster dose may help reduce waning immunity. Today’s action also brings consistency in the timing for administration of a booster dose among the available mRNA vaccines. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated—it’s never too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.”
[Read more: CDC recommends COVID-19 booster for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old]