Boosters for all U.S adults could be available soon

An influential

NEW YORK —

U.S. advisory panel will dis

cuss expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all adults Friday, a move that could make the shots available nationwide as early as this weekend.

Some cities and states already allow all adults to get boosters of Pfizer’s vaccine, but it is not yet official U.S. policy. In the last week, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia and Colorado expanded the shots to all adults. New York City made a similar move. Pfizer asked U.S. regulators

last week to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older. The Food

and Drug Administration is expected to sign off on Pfizer’s

application before the advisory panel meets Friday. The final step — CDC’S official rec

ommendation —could come soon after the meeting.

The move would greatly expand who is eligible. Boosters are now recommended for people who initially received their second Pfizer or Moderna shots at least six months ago if they’re 65 or older or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of health problems or their job

or living conditions. Boost- ers are also recommended for people who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Nearly 31 million Ameri-

cans have already received a dose beyond their original vaccination, including those with weakened immune sys

tems, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients who need an extra dose to be fully vaccinated.

While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.

Pfizer has submitted early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.