The US Food and Drug Administration may authorize booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for all adults as early as Thursday, the New York Times reports. It adds that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may also weigh in on Friday, which could allow broader booster vaccinations to begin.
FDA previously authorized Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosters in September for individuals 65 years old or older and younger individuals at increased risk of developing severe disease. The companies said last week that they were seeking an expansion of that booster eligibility to all adults.
As the Times notes, some spots in the US like New York City, California, and Colorado have already moved to expand booster access, as the expanded authorization is widely expected and as there is increased demand before the holiday season.
Recent data from Pfizer and BioNTech indicates that a third dose increases protection against symptomatic disease to about 95 percent, NPR adds.
Moderna is also expected to also seek an expansion to its booster authorization, according to the Times.