Coronavirus: US FDA clears Moderna and J&J boosters, backs ‘mix-and-match’ strategy

Name: Bat viruses being studied in Cambodia to gain new coronavirus pandemic insights
Uploaded: 2021-10-20T21:55:15.000Z
Duration: 1 min 45 s
Description: Bat viruses being studied in Cambodia to gain new coronavirus pandemic insights

The decision paves the way for millions more to get extra protection, with the Delta variant causing breakthrough infections in some who are fully vaccinated

The agency previously authorised Pfizer boosters for people aged 65 and older, as well as those at higher risk

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A patient receives the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in Buffalo, West Virginia, in March. Photo: TNS

Reuters

Published: 5:55am, 21 Oct 2021Updated: 5:55am, 21 Oct 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorised booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna Inc and Johnson & Johnson, and said Americans can choose a different shot than their original inoculation as a booster.

The decision paves the way for millions more people in the United States to get the additional protection with the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus causing breakthrough infections among some who are fully vaccinated.

The agency previously authorised boosters of the Pfizer Inc Covid-19 vaccine developed with German partner BioNTech SE at least six months after the first round of shots to increase protection for people aged 65 and older, those at risk of severe disease and those who are exposed to the virus through their work.

Last week, an advisory panel to the FDA voted to recommend a third round of shots of the Moderna vaccine for the same groups. The panel also recommended a second shot of the J&J vaccine for all recipients of the one-dose inoculation at least two months after receiving their first.

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Bat viruses being studied in Cambodia to gain new coronavirus pandemic insights

The FDA and US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were under some pressure to authorise the additional shots after the White House announced plans in August for a widespread booster campaign.