Pfizer-BioNTech will likely be the last COVID-19 vaccine booster available before Sept. 20, which is the Biden administrations target. Dr. Anthony Fauci stated Sunday that Modernas should not be far behind.
Fauci, the White Houses top advisor on pandemics, spoke Sunday on CBS News Face the Nation. He said that Modernas MRNA +4.79% booster may not have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration before that date.
We hoped that both candidates, Moderna as well as both Pfizer products would be available by the week's 20th. Fauci said that it is possible that only one of the products will be available, but that the other product would likely follow shortly thereafter.
FDA approval has not yet been granted to boosters for the general population, but the Pfizer PFE and BioNTech BNTX +1.76% appear to be on the right track. Fauci stated that Pfizer appears to have their data and would likely meet the deadline. Moderna is also likely to be able, so it would allow us to complete it simultaneously.
He said that if it is not, we will do it sequentially. Fauci stated that it is very likely that at least part of Modernas' plan will be implemented. However, he said that any delay in Modernas' shot approval would likely only be a few weeks.
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Officials confirmed that those who received the Johnson & Johnson JNJ +0.06% vaccine will likely also need a booster. However, no other details were provided.
Fauci stated that people who have been fully vaccinated should be prepared to get a booster of the shot they received. Fauci said that data regarding whether Americans can mix vaccines after receiving the two-dose Moderna shots is being analyzed and will be made available to the public in the next weeks.
Biden's administration has called for Sept. 20 to be the date that fully vaccinated individuals can start getting boosters. This is provided they have not been vaccinated for at least eight months. Federal officials worry that vaccine effectiveness may decline over time and are seeking boosters to stop a new winter surge in cases. The coronavirus is most likely to be in the first round of boosters.
