FDA authorizes Pfizer, Moderna boosters for all adults

The FDA authorizations tee up many Americans to gain extra protection ahead of a possible winter surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 18 and older who is already considered fully vaccinated, teeing up many Americans to gain extra protection ahead of a possible winter surge in cases.

The process now moves to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee, which will review and debate the data Friday afternoon before taking a vote.

Then the CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, will need to give a final signoff.

The authorization came as many states face upticks in COVID-19 infections. Fourteen states plus New York City have officially told all of their residents to get booster shots ahead of word from the FDA. While the most effective way to stop rising cases is to vaccinate the unvaccinated, public health officials are also eager to drive down breakthrough cases as hospitals near capacity.