Reminder: COVID-19 Booster Doses Not Yet Approved
~~Official approval happens AFTER CDC adopts recommendations from FDA and ACIP~~
“The following are the COVID-19 vaccines our health departments are able to administer at this time: Moderna for individuals 18 years and older. Now carrying Pfizer, which is FDA approved for individuals 12 years and older,” Rebecca Johnson, Southeast Kansas Multi Health Department said. “We are also are able to give an additional dose of Moderna or Pfizer to those individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. We have a limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for those individuals 18 years and older.
“We also have flu shots available at this time for the public. Mondays are walk-in days. Call for an appointment otherwise. Allen County: (620)365-2191; Anderson County: (785)448-6559; Bourbon County: (620)223-4464; Woodson County: (620)625-2484.”
TOPEKA – On Friday, Sept. 17, the first step was completed in COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. However, there are three steps that still need to happen before certain Kansans can receive a booster shot.
What has been approved:
- Friday, Sept. 17 – The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 18-0 in favor of a Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose for adults aged 65 and over and individuals aged 16 and over at high risk for COVID-19.
- They did not recommend boosters for all individuals aged 16 and over. The committee had concerns about the lack of robust data, especially safety data in younger populations. They felt that a booster dose would not significantly impact or mitigate the state of the pandemic.
What still needs to happen:
- FDA authorization of booster dose.
- The FDA is expected to authorize a booster vaccine for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine early this week.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendation
- The ACIP is scheduled to meet on 22 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to consider the authorization from the FDA regarding booster doses.
- The ACIP recommendation will likely provide more specifics as it relates to the length of time after initial series completion, eligible age groups and identified high-risk groups.
- CDC Director Approval
- Following the ACIP meeting, the CDC Director will make a final decision to approve, amend or reject the ACIP recommendations. Only this final decision by the CDC Director will allow for providers to begin administering booster doses.
In August 2021, an additional dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was approved for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. These additional doses are not considered booster doses and remain available.
###