On Aug. 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave final approval to start administering COVID-19 booster shots to Pfizer and Moderna vaccine recipients hours after a key panel unanimously voted to endorse third doses for immunocompromised U.S. residents, CNBC.com reported.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously authorized COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people with weakened immune systems, but did not have the final statement on the matter.
The agencies did not clear boosters for other fully vaccinated individuals or for recipients of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine manufactured under its Janssen vaccine division, citing a lack of data regarding the latter.
White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said that federal health officials were speeding regulatory efforts to clear third doses for such people, including cancer and HIV patients as well as those who have had organ transplants.