Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Keri Barclay
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted unanimously to approve booster doses for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
Specifically, the Moderna COVID-19 booster dose was approved under Emergency Use Authorization for a 50mcg booster dose at least six months after completion of a primary series for:
- Individuals 65 years of age and older
- Individuals ages 18-64 at high risk of severe COVID-19
- Individuals ages 18-64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19, including severe COVID-19
The Janssen Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was approved under EUA as a booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older at least two months after a single primary dose.
Additional discussions occurred around the mixed use of vaccines as booster doses. The next step in the process is for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to meet on Oct. 20-21 to provide additional operational guidelines and recommendations. Facilities should await further guidance from the CDC and updated standing orders from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, if applicable, before initiating booster programs for these vaccines.