FDA approves fourth dose of covid-19 vaccine for people over 50

The United States regulatory agency authorized a new vaccine booster against covid-19 Pfizer and Moderna for people over 50 years. This is an extra step to protect the most vulnerable people in case the virus returns.

The decision of the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has given the green light for a fourth dose in people over the age of 12 who have weakened immune systems. The agency said this particularly vulnerable group may even receive a fifth dose.

This new expansion, beyond the health of the general population, will allow an extra boost for millions of Americans. The question is whether everyone who is eligible will go out and get the vaccine. There is still the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This decision comes at a time of great uncertainty. Covid-19 cases have fallen to very low levels, even in Dallas, after spikes in December and January following the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant.

Two doses of vaccine plus a booster still provide strong protection against severe COVID-19 disease and even death, CDC data corroborate.

But a subvariant of omicron is causing more infections in Europe and is already spreading in the United States, at a time when there is no longer much demand for vaccines. Half of those eligible for the booster have not yet done so.