FDA Approves New Round Of COVID Boosters

SILVER SPRING, MD — A new COVID-19 booster vaccine has received approval from the Food & Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to decide the guidelines on Tuesday.

Updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer have clearance for people 12 and older and are authorized for emergency use to individuals six months through 11 years old.

It comes as hospitalizations and cases of COVID-19 are on the rise.

Both Moderna and Pfizer said their new shots will offer protection against omicron subvariant BA.2.86, and the XBB.1.5 variant, CNBC reported.

While the CDC will make recommendations for who should get the boosters, Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, told Patch last month that it would be most beneficial for people 65 and older.

The new round of boosters marks the first since the public health emergency ended in May.