Amid rising breakthrough cases of COVID-19, largely fueled by the spread of the omicron variant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week shortened the time between primary and booster vaccination with a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months.
This revised timeline was reflected in an amended emergency use authorization (EUA) for ModernaTx Inc. It applies to any potential users at least 18 years old. By shortening the intervening period to five months, it also puts Moderna’s vaccine back on par with that offered by Pfizer-BioNTech, although that vaccine’s booster can be taken by patients as young as 12 years old.
“Vaccination is our best defense against COVID-19, including the circulating variants, and shortening the length of time between completion of a primary series and a booster dose may help reduce waning immunity,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said. “Today’s action also brings consistency in the timing for administration of a booster dose among the available mRNA vaccines. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated—it’s never too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.”
At this time, those given initial vaccination through Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for the Moderna booster shot.