FDA Approves Another COVID-19 Booster Vaccine for 65 Years and Older—When is it Available?

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 19 April 2023, 12:04 am

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a new COVID-19 vaccine booster recommended for its inoculation among older adults, aged 65 years and older. This new shot features a new formulation of the mRNA-based vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, updating their original vaccine formula to bring better immunity for all.

Initially, this shot was already made available to the younger age group, those 18 and above and kids 13 and above, to get the latest layer of protection against the notorious virus.

FDA Approves New COVID Booster Formulation for Older Adults

(Photo : Alessio Coser/Getty Images)

In a move aimed at further protecting the public from COVID-19, the FDA has recently authorized the use of new booster vaccines for individuals aged 65 years and older. This decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of the virus and ensure that those who are at higher risk of severe illness or complications from COVID-19 remain protected.

Boosters are intended to reinforce the body's immune response to the virus and provide an additional layer of protection, years after the original shots were made.

The new formula is a bivalent booster, which means it contains two different components that target different variants of the virus. This is a departure from the monovalent original shots, which targeted specific variants of the virus.

The bivalent booster is designed to provide broader protection against multiple variants of the virus, including those that may have emerged since the original vaccines were developed.

It is Not Yet Available for Distribution-Why?

It is important to note that while the FDA has authorized the use of booster vaccines for individuals aged 65 years and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is yet to provide official recommendations on the matter.

That being said, it is still not available for distribution to those interested in taking the latest booster for older adults, despite already being approved for the younger age group.

Pfizer and BioNTech, as well as Moderna have already introduced this new bivalent formulation to their mRNA-based shots, also recommended by the FDA.

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 is not yet over, and despite the public already developing immunity to it, people may still face the threats of enhanced strains that may start yet again another epidemic. Still, the US and other countries are looking into new vaccine strategies that would encourage more to be inoculated in the long run.

The mRNA vaccines are highly effective in preventing COVID-19, and the updated booster doses are expected to further enhance the body's immune response to the virus. This development underscores the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing efforts to adapt vaccines to address emerging variants of the virus.

The authorization of booster vaccines for individuals aged 65 years and older marks an important step in the fight against COVID-19. It is a proactive measure to protect vulnerable people who may be at increased risk of severe illness or complications from the virus.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, vaccination remains a key tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting ourselves and our communities from the virus.