Moderna seeks FDA authorization for second COVID-19 booster for all adults

Moderna announced late Thursday that it has asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a second COVID-19 booster shot for people 18 and older.

The pharmaceutical firm is hoping the federal agency will amend its emergency-use authorization for its COVID vaccine to allow for a fourth dose – a second booster after having received a two-shot vaccination and an initial booster from any of FDA-authorized vaccines.

"The request to include adults over 18 years of age was made to provide flexibility for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and healthcare providers to determine the appropriate use of an additional booster dose of mRNA-1273, including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities," reads a recently issued release from the company.

"This submission is based in part on recently published data generated in the United States and Israel following the emergence of Omicron."

Earlier this week, Pfizer submitted a request to the FDA to authorize an additional booster, but only for those 65 and older.

Several countries are already offering a fourth dose of the vaccines. However, a fourth shot is authorized in the U.S. only for those with compromised immune systems.

The FDA's group of independent vaccine advisers is set to convene in April to consider 2022 booster shots, including whether and when they may be needed and for which populations, based on the available data and latest science on circulating or emerging virus variants.