The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the updated COVID vaccine ahead of the fall/winter respiratory virus season. The vaccine formulas are tailored to target the newer COVID strains. However, the approval comes with some key exceptions. The narrower approval limits the Pfizer for people ages 5 and older. The FDA’s decision to revoke the Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer means that there is no single vaccine approved for all children. The Moderna vaccine is now approved for people ages 6 months and older, but is only approved for children with certain health conditions. The Novavax shot is approved for Americans age 12 years and up. The Moderna and Pfizer expect their vaccines to become available for patients in the coming days.
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the FDA’s decision to limit eligibility for the vaccines disregards science and endangers the lives of many Americans. Public health experts warn that the new eligibility restrictions could block many people from receiving the vaccine because insurance companies generally follow the government guidelines.
IDSA President Tina Tan announced that the organization is collaborating with other medical groups to publish their own recommendations for COVID vaccination. These guidelines are expected to be released in September. “Physicians can still provide COVID vaccines off-label, and IDSA strongly urges doctors to continue recommending and administering vaccination to their patients based on the best available science,” said Dr. Tan.
