FDA expands EUA for booster doses

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for booster doses for the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines. The FDA did the same for Pfizer-BioNTech in September. 

For both Pfizer and Moderna, a single booster dose may be administered at least 6 months following the completion of the original two-dose series. Recipients of the mRNA boosters must be over 18 years of age and considered high risk or with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to COVID-19.

A single booster dose of Janssen may be administered at least 2 months following the single-dose primary regimen. This vaccine is available to anyone over the age of 18.

Boosters have not been authorized for those 12-18 at this time. 

Those who choose to get a booster dose may mix and match, meaning those who received Janssen may get either of the mRNA vaccines and vice versa. According to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the mix and match approach may be considered for the booster dose only. 

Charleston Southern University will host another walk-in Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Brewer Center. First, second, and booster doses will be available to anyone eligible.

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