CNBC's Meg Tirrell joins 'Squawk Box' to report on the FDA's latest authorization for Covid-19 booster shots from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, as well as Pfizer's latest booster efficacy data. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: [ Ссылка ]
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday night authorized booster shots of both Johnson & Johnson’s and Moderna’s Covid vaccines, another critical step in distributing extra doses to tens of millions of people.
At the same time, U.S. regulators authorized “mixing and matching” vaccines, allowing Americans to get a booster shot from a different drugmaker than the one that made their initial doses.
“Today’s actions demonstrate our commitment to public health in proactively fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic,” acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
“As the pandemic continues to impact the country, science has shown that vaccination continues to be the safest and most effective way to prevent COVID-19, including the most serious consequences of the disease, such as hospitalization and death,” she added.
The FDA clearance, which was expected, came after the agency’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee last week unanimously recommended additional shots of both vaccines. The committee recommended the Moderna booster for elderly people and at-risk adults six months after they complete their primary series of shots, bringing it in line with the distribution plan for Pfizer and BioNTech’s booster. It also endorsed J&J boosters for everyone 18 and older who received the initial shot at least two months ago.
The ruling will now be handed off to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its vaccine advisory committee, which has scheduled a meeting Thursday to discuss Moderna’s and J&J’s booster data. If the committee issues a recommendation, and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signs off, additional shots for those vaccines could be distributed immediately to eligible people.
The authorization would open up booster doses to the more than 15 million people who have been inoculated with J&J’s shots and the more than 69 million people who have been fully immunized with Moderna’s vaccine.
Eligible Americans will also be able to “mix and match” vaccines. A highly anticipated National Institutes of Health study published last week showed all the combinations of boosters increased antibody levels, though Pfizer’s and Moderna’s boosters appeared to work best.
The FDA said Wednesday it has identified an increased risk of rare inflammatory heart conditions, myocarditis and pericarditis, following vaccination with the Moderna vaccine, particularly following the second dose. Usually, onset of symptoms has been a few days following vaccination, it said. The observed risk is higher among males under 40 years of age, particularly males 18 through 24.
Pfizer’s boosters were authorized less than a month ago to a wide array of Americans, including the elderly, adults with underlying medical conditions, and those who work or live in high-risk settings, such as health-care and grocery workers.
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: [ Ссылка ]
» Subscribe to CNBC: [ Ссылка ]
» Subscribe to CNBC Classic: [ Ссылка ]
Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide.
The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: [ Ссылка ]
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: [ Ссылка ]
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: [ Ссылка ]
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Follow CNBC News on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ]
#CNBC
#CNBCTV
