Today, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee met and voted unanimously to recommend Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be given six months after full vaccination for those 65 and older and those at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. They also informally suggested that health care workers be considered for the booster dose.

Earlier in the day, the panel voted against (16-2) the broad recommendation to provide booster doses to those over 16, expressing concern over safety of boosters in younger populations. Booster doses are already approved for select immunocompromised individuals. The FDA will consider these recommendations before ultimately approving or rejecting a third Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose for those under consideration.