Oct 21 Reuters - A panel of advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC are considering several recommendations for rollout of COVID - 19 vaccine boosters from Moderna Inc and Johnson Johnson expected to pave the way for additional shots for millions of Americans.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved booster doses on Wednesday. U.S. FDA clears Moderna, J&J COVID - 19 boosters, backs use of different vaccine for boost and said Americans can choose a different shot from their original inoculation.
The CDC is expected to sign off on the recommendations of the panel for a rollout that health officials said could be confusing in the coming days.
In a nod to the advisory panel's task ahead, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky laid out its charge in helping clarify any confusion about the various booster regimens.
These recommendations will not only address who should receive a booster dose, but also include what vaccine they should receive, she said at the beginning of the meeting.
The panel is set to vote on booster dose recommendations later on Thursday, which will be sent to Walensky for review.
The FDA and CDC previously signed off on booster shots of the COVID - 19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech SE for those age 65 and over, as well as individuals at high risk or severe illness and those at risk of exposure to the virus through their jobs.