Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Moderna Wants All Adults To Get Its Booster Shot
The Hill: Moderna Requests Emergency Authorization For Booster Dose For All Adults
Moderna has submitted a request to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize booster doses of its coronavirus vaccine for all adults, seeking to expand the number of people eligible for a third shot. The vaccine manufacturer announced that it asked the FDA to allow the 71 million adults initially vaccinated with Moderna’s shots to get a third dose, as emerging data shows boosters offer better protection. The 50 microgram dosage in Moderna’s booster is half of the 100 micrograms used for the first two shots for adults. (Coleman, 11/17)
NPR: Moderna Joins Pfizer In Bid For COVID Boosters For All Adults
People 18 or older who are already considered fully vaccinated could soon be eligible to get a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Moderna asked for that authorization on Wednesday, one day after Pfizer made its application.The Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce later this week that it will grant Emergency Use Authorization for all adults to get those extra shots. (Greenhalgh and Campbell, 11/17)
The New York Times: The F.D.A. Could Authorize Moderna Boosters For All Adults As Early As This Week
Moderna has asked federal regulators to authorize booster shots of its coronavirus vaccine for all adults, a request that the Food and Drug Administration could grant as early as this week along with a similar request from Pfizer, according to people familiar with the planning. If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also signs off every adult who was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shot at least six months ago would not only be eligible for a booster, but could choose which vaccine. The agency’s committee of independent experts is set to meet Friday to discuss booster shots. (LaFraniere and Weiland, 11/17)
On the Biden administrations plans for boosting vaccine production —
The Washington Post: Administration To Invest Billions In Vaccine Manufacturing To Increase Supply For Poor Nations
Wednesday’s announcement marks the latest partnership between the federal government and pharmaceutical companies to bolster vaccine production during the pandemic. “The goal is to guarantee capacity to produce approximately 100 million mRNA vaccines a month against covid or other pandemic viruses upon demand for the United States or global use,” said David Kessler, the administration’s chief science officer who oversees vaccine distribution. “We are looking to enter into a historic partnership with one or more experienced pharmaceutical partners. This partnership will be used for covid and any future pandemic viruses with the goal of having enough vaccines available within six to nine months of the identification of the virus.” (Pager and Diamond, 11/17)
