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# Panel Backs Limited Covid Booster Shots
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/panel-backs-limited-covid-booster-shots/
- Published: 2021-09-17T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T17:15:07.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Biologics, #legacy-id-D5150172

FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee 9/17 voted unanimously (18 to 0) to recommend Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty Covid-19 booster vaccine, under an emergency use authorization, in individuals 65 years of age and older and those at high risk of severe covid-19 (e.g., obese individuals, those with diabetes and perhaps healthcare workers). A separate vote, 16 to 2, recommended against broad booster shots for people aged 16 years and older.

During the meeting, panel members were not overwhelmingly convinced that current data supported widespread booster shots among those already fully vaccinated. In a briefing document ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-hedges-its-position-on-covid-vaccine-booster/)) prepared for the meeting, FDA chose not take a position on whether there is a current need for a booster shot. “Some observational studies have suggested declining efficacy of Comirnaty over time against symptomatic infection or against the Delta variant,” the [document](https://www.fda.gov/media/152176/download?ref=fdaweb.com) said, “while others have not. However, overall data indicate that currently U.S.-licensed or authorized Covid-19 vaccines still afford protection against severe Covid-19 disease and death in the United States.”

FDA is not required to follow the advisory committee’s recommendations, though it typically does. The agency is expected to make a decision on boosters by early next week. Additionally, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next week and weigh in on the matter.

Hanging in the balance is the Biden Administration’s earlier announced plan to broadly kick off booster shots beginning the week of 9/20\. The panel meeting was held amid concerns that the administration got ahead of the science in promising booster shots this month. Those concerns took on greater [urgency](https://www.fdaweb.com/retiring-vaccine-officials-reluctant-on-boosters/) when two FDA senior vaccine officials decided to announce their retirement and wrote a *Lancet* article joining outside researchers in arguing against requiring booster shots until data show a necessary benefit. While it’s likely limited Pfizer booster shots could begin soon, it is still undetermined when additional boosters would be available for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines because data still need to be submitted and reviewed.