FDA also shortens Moderna booster interval to 5 months amid omicron surge
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The FDA on Friday amended an emergency use authorization for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to shorten the suggested time between a primary two-dose series and a booster shot from 6 to 5 months.
Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, cited the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant as the reason for shortening the interval between a second and third dose of the vaccine, which is available in the U.S. to adults aged 18 years or older.
“Vaccination is our best defense against COVID-19, including the circulating variants, and shortening the length of time between completion of a primary series and a booster dose may help reduce waning immunity,” Marks said in a statement. “Today’s action also brings consistency in the timing for administration of a booster dose among the available [messenger RNA] vaccines. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated — it’s never too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.”
The FDA earlier this week also shortened the interval for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 to 5 months. The interval for a booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains 2 months.
According to the FDA, the most commonly reported side effects following the administration of a Moderna COVID-19 booster shot are pain, redness and swelling at the injection site; fatigue; headache; muscle or joint pain; and chills.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA shortens interval for booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-shortens-interval-booster-dose-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-five-months. Published Jan. 7, 2022. Accessed Jan. 7, 2022.
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