The U.S. health authorities have expanded the target of the COVID-19 vaccine booster and booster shot to teenagers 16 years of age and older.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use of the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech, saying that the booster shot is okay for teenagers aged 16 to 17 who have been vaccinated and over 6 months old.
Until now, only adults 18 years of age or older were eligible to receive the booster shot, but this has been lowered to 16 years of age or older and the target has been expanded.
Peter Marks, director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said new evidence suggests that the vaccine's efficacy weakens after a second dose of the dose.
According to the New York Times, federal data shows that about 3 million 16-17 year-olds received their second dose of Pfizer vaccine six months ago and will be subject to a booster shot later this month.
Pfizer Vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved in the United States for people aged 16-17.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)