FDA approves Pfizer boosters for high-risk individuals, people 65 and up

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus booster shots for people at high risk of severe COVID-19 and people 65 years and older.

Driving the news: The approval comes just days after an FDA advisory panel recommended boosters for the two groups but overwhelmingly voted against the third shots for younger Americans.

• The approval also applies to people ages 18 to 64 "whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure" puts them at high risk for contracting the virus.

The big picture: The White House had hoped to begin administering boosters to many Pfizer recipients, including young Americans, this week.

• Some health experts were frustrated that the administration announced its plan before the shots went through the regulatory process.
• Several experts on the FDA advisory committee said last week that they hadn't seen enough data to justify boosters for the general population.

What's next: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will likely issue guidance on boosters after a key advisory panel votes on the third doses. That vote is expected on Thursday.