FDA and CDC Considering 'Approval' of a Fourth COVID Shot for People Over 50

FDA and CDC Considering , 'Approval' of a Fourth COVID Shot , for People Over 50.

Poynter reports that United States citizens over 50 could be approved to receive a fourth dose of COVID vaccination as early as this week.

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The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reportedly considering a “permissive recommendation” for a fourth dose.

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The move would fall short of a full recommendation, instead just allowing people who wish to receive an additional booster to get one.

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Granting a “permissive recommendation” allows the FDA to skip the special review panels required to grant the fourth dose full approval.

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Granting a “permissive recommendation” allows the FDA to skip the special review panels required to grant the fourth dose full approval.

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According to Poynter, the review panel that determines the efficacy and safety of drugs is not scheduled to meet until April.

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According to Poynter, the review panel that determines the efficacy and safety of drugs is not scheduled to meet until April.

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At that time, the panel will take up the topic of who should be eligible for a fourth dose in 2022.

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According to Poynter, one of the main issues regarding boosters is a matter of timing.

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Anyone receiving a booster now runs the risk of protection fading by the time a possible fall/winter resurgence of COVID rolls around.

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Poynter reports that health experts consider a surge in the fall of 2022 to be "highly likely.".

Currently, drug companies are working to create vaccine formulas that would be effective against different variants of the coronavirus.