Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have voted to recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people in the U.S. aged 65 years and above as well as those who are at high risk of severe illness. The advisers rejected a broader approval.

They also recommended inclusion of healthcare workers and others at high risk due to occupational exposure to the virus, like teachers. So, in spite of the tapered scope of the authorization, the recommendation would still cover most Americans who received their vaccines in the initial stages of the vaccination drive. The FDA will likely take a decision on the booster shots soon. While the agency is not bound by the recommendation of the advisers, it will take it into consideration… (Reuters, September 17, 2021)