FDA Says Widespread Use of Booster Covid-19 Shots Not Needed at This Time, Complicating Biden's Late-September Rollout Plan

The Biden administration's plan to widely rollout booster Covid-19 shots later this month was dealt a setback late Wednesday when Food and Drug Administration scientists released findings that said the vaccines currently approved in the U.S. offer adequate protection against severe cases of Covid-19, and that the need for booster shots were not necessary at this time.

The FDA released its findings after analyzing data provided by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, as part of the companies' request to be given approval to provide Covid-19 booster shots of their vaccine to people 16 years and older.

On Friday, an outside panel will review the FDA's data along with information from Pfizer as part of an effort to help determine who needs booster shots and when, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“Overall, data indicate that currently U.S.-licensed or authorized Covid-19 vaccines still afford protection against severe Covid-19 disease and death in the United States,” the FDA scientists wrote.

The Biden administration planned on announcing the availability of booster shots as early as next week. However, a decision hinges on the data, which White House press secretary Jen Psaki said would inform not only the FDA but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well.