FDA Expected to Approve COVID Boosters for Seniors, At-Risk Adults Amid Surge

The FDA is expected to approve updated COVID-19 vaccines primarily for adults 65 and older and individuals with underlying health conditions, narrowing eligibility and potentially limiting access for healthy adults under 65, who may need a healthcare provider's request and face out-of-pocket costs. This shift comes amid rising COVID cases driven by new variants like the Omicron subvariant XFG or Stratus, which are spreading rapidly particularly in Western and Southern U.S. regions, straining hospitals and healthcare systems. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other federal officials have expressed skepticism about mRNA vaccine safety, contributing to uncertainty and lower vaccine uptake as schools reopen and respiratory virus season approaches. Public health officials face challenges in vaccine outreach due to unclear federal funding and shifting policies, impacting efforts to control the surge. Experts emphasize that despite these challenges, mRNA vaccines remain effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, underscoring the need for continued vaccination especially among vulnerable populations. The evolving federal stance and regulatory delays have complicated the public health response during this critical period of increased COVID transmission.