U.S. FDA panel endorses Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine booster for at-risk adults

Special: Battle Against Novel Coronavirus

Vaccine advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously Thursday to recommend emergency use authorization of a booster dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended use of a booster dose for people over 65, people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, as well as people who are at risk of serious COVID-19 because of their jobs, or living situation.

The population recommended for Moderna's booster is the same population that Pfizer's booster was authorized for last month.

Unlike Pfizer, Moderna is proposing to use a half-dose of the vaccine for a booster given at least six months after the prime dose, rather than an additional full dose.

A final FDA decision on Moderna boosters could come within days.