FDA authorises second booster of Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna Covid shots

FDA authorises another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid vaccine for people age 50 and up

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized a second booster dose for people age 50 and older of the two most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines, citing data showing waning immunity and the risks posed by Omicron variants of the virus.

The agency said the new boosters - a fourth round of shots for most vaccine recipients - of the Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE and Moderna Inc vaccines are to be administered at least four months after the previous dose. They are intended to offer more protection against severe disease and hospitalization.

The FDA also authorized the second booster dose of the