FDA Proposes Annual COVID-19 Shot
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to promote annual COVID-19 vaccines, using an approach similar to the annual flu shot vaccination campaign, according to Reuters (subscription).
The action: Under this proposal, COVID-19 variants would be selected every year for the annual vaccine, in the same way that new or leading influenza strains are targeted for each annual flu vaccine.
- The FDA also proposed biannual vaccination shots for vulnerable groups, such as young children, older people and the immunocompromised.
The goal: “The FDA hopes annual immunization schedules may contribute to less complicated vaccine deployment and fewer vaccine administration errors, leading to improved vaccine coverage rates.”
The road ahead: This proposal comes during a time when a significant portion of individuals in the U.S. still need to get their original COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA will continue to consult its external panel of advisers as it finalizes its proposal.
Get vaxxed: For information on how you can protect yourself and your community through vaccinations, check out the NAM’s This Is Our Shot Project.