FDA, CDC authorize second Covid-19 booster dose for people 50 and above

• Booster dose is to be administered at least four months after the previous dose

U.S. health officials on Tuesday give the nod to second Covid-19 booster dose for adults age 50 and older, pointing to data showing waning immunity against the virus.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Moderna (NYSE: MRNA)second Covid-19 booster doses or fourth vaccine doses and said the doses are to be administered at least four months after the previous dose. 

The agency also authorized a fifth dose of Pfizer for people age 12 and older with weakened immune systems and those 18 and older with the same condition are eligible for Moderna.

Also Read: Moderna to seek FDA approval for COVID-19 vaccines for children under 6

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backed the FDA's authorization and recommended adults and people with medical conditions to take the dose.

Countries including China have been recently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases due to new variants.

Cases in the U.S. have dropped significantly since the Omicron spike in January.

Picture Credits: Reuters