The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday has allowed using a so-called “mix and match” strategy for the people who need booster shots of a Covid vaccine after they are completely vaccinated.
“The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks of their use in eligible populations,” the agency said in a statement.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have received authorization from FDA in the United States. A single dose of any of them may be used for booster shot, given the person has completed primary vaccination with a different Covid vaccine.
According to the new decision, people who get jabbed with two Moderna shots initially and are above 65, over 18 and at high risk for Covid, or over 18 and have high occupational exposure, can get a booster shot.
All adults who received the one shot J&J vaccine more than two months ago also fall under the eligibility of a booster.
Previously, only immune compromised people or people who belonged to elderly or vulnerable groups and had received the Pfizer vaccine could get a booster shot.
“Today’s actions demonstrate our commitment to public health in proactively fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock.
The statement also cautioned people of highly rare side effects linked with the vaccines.
The J&J vaccine has been associated with a serious and rare type of blood clot combined with low blood platelets one or two weeks after administration. The risk is the highest among females ages 18 through 49 years.