FDA greenlights Pfizer booster shots for Americans as young as 16
CBSN
The Food and Drug Administration has greenlighted a request from Pfizer and BioNTech to allow Americans as young as 16 to get a booster shot of their COVID-19 vaccine, the agency announced on Thursday, clearing a key hurdle before that age group can receive the third shot. Boosters were previously OK'd for ages 18 and up.
"Since we first authorized the vaccine, new evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 is waning after the second dose of the vaccine for all adults and for those in the 16- and 17-year-old age group," Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccines official, said in a statement.
"A single booster dose of the vaccine for those vaccinated at least six months prior will help provide continued protection against COVID-19 in this and older age groups," said Marks.
