Last night, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made an amendment to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine allowing for a booster dose to be given at least six months after completion of its primary series in those 65 years of age and older. They also authorized the booster for those 18+ who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and those whose occupations put them at risk, such as "health care workers, teachers and day care staff, grocery workers and those in homeless shelters or prisons, among others,” said acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.

It is expected that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a CDC advisory panel, will vote today, Thursday, September 23, on how to implement this expanded access. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky will need to provide final approval before Pfizer COVID-19 boosters can be made available to the eligible parties. Read more.