CDC panel authorizes Pfizer boosters for high-risk people, those over 65

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel unanimously recommended booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for people at least 65 years old and in nursing homes, but appeared much more conflicted about younger people and those who may be at high exposure because of their jobs.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 15-0 to recommend a booster dose for Americans age 65 and older and people in long term care facilities.

ACIP also fully recommended giving a single booster dose to people between the ages of 50 and 64 with certain high risk conditions, by a vote of 13-2.

On the question of people aged 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions, the panel voted 9 to 6 in favor of recommending boosters, but did so based on “individual benefit and risk,” which means individual patients should talk to their doctors first.

Though the panel ultimately endorsed boosters for a narrow population, members were torn about whether the recommendations were still too broad.

As a result, members voted 9 to 6 against recommending a booster dose for people aged 18 to 64 who are at risk of COVID-19 due to their occupation or living situation.

This means people like health workers, grocery workers or teachers would not be eligible, though the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization on Wednesday included such populations.

What’s next: CDC Director Rochelle Walensky needs to sign off on the panel’s recommendations, but they’re not binding and she can make changes. Once she signs off, boosters can be administered. Earlier in the day, Walensky spoke to the panel and said the administration’s collective goal is to protect as many people as possible from infection, hospitalization and death.

“What has been your north star, and what drives my own thinking every day, is a commitment to follow the science to improve the health of as many Americans as possible,” she said.