Date: March 30, 2022

In a flurry of federal action, two of the nation’s top health agencies authorized and expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to allow older Americans to receive a second booster shot.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shot for people 50 or older at least four months after their first.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the authorization several hours later.

Meanwhile, the agency’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said the additional booster is especially important for people 65 or older and those 50 or older who have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease from COVID-19.

“They are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time,” she said in a statement.

Although the CDC expanded booster eligibility, the agency said the second shot is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions.

Anyone immunocompromised and age 12 or older is eligible for another dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and immunocompromised adults can also receive the Moderna vaccine.

For the immunocompromised, the initial vaccination course is three doses. They have been allowed since last fall to get a first booster, or fourth dose, and are entitled to a fifth, CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund confirmed.

Source: Who Can Get a Second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Booster? Here's What You Should Know

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