Biden Admin To Unveil Reformulated Booster Shots In September
The Biden administration is aiming for a mid-September rollout for reformulated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots, after both companies promised they would be able to deliver doses by then, according to the New York Times, citing people familiar with the deliberations.
he new versions are expected to perform better against then now-dominant (yet far more mild than Delta) BA.5 Omicron subvariant, though the Times notes that data on the reformulated shots is still preliminary.
As such, federal officials have decided not to expand eligibility for the next round of existing boosters this summer - which have only been approved for Americans over 50, or those over the age of 12 who have immune deficiencies.
Dr Fauci, interestingly enough, apparently didn't get his way, as the Times reports that he was pushing for more of the current vaccine to go into arms before the reformulated version is ready.
In internal deliberations, some senior health officials argued that eligibility for a second booster should be broadened before the reformulated version is ready because coronavirus infections are on the rise again. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, and Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the White House pandemic response coordinator, both advocated that position. -NYT
"I think there should be flexibility and permissiveness in at least allowing" a second booster for younger Americans, Fauci told the Times earlier this month.