US drug regulators given approval for immunocompromised Americans to get additional COVID jab
The order issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affects around 10 million people, including transplant recipients and cancer patients.
US drug regulators have given approval for immunocompromised Americans to get an additional COVID jab as a booster to help stave off infection and illness.
The order issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affects around 10 million people, including transplant recipients and cancer patients.
It marks the first time that US health officials have indicated that booster shots may be necessary to fight COVID. Several others countries have begun providing booster jabs to some groups.
The issue of booster vaccines will be discussed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccines panel at a meeting today.
If approved by the group, boosters could become available by this weekend. Experts say the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson may not sufficiently protect some people, especially those who have a weakened immune system.
All three vaccines are currently approved in the US under an emergency use authorisation. Pfizer, which has applied for full authorisation, has lobbied US and European regulators to approve a third booster dose.