The FDA on Wednesday authorized Omicron-tailored COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer for children, a move that will expand the government s fall vaccination campaign.
A national study again shows a low rate of myocarditis with COVID vaccines in those under age 40 years, but also an uptick in rates among male adolescents after a first booster.
New COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions in children continue to decline, while the slow pace of vaccinations has not deterred manufacturers from seeking new emergency authorizations.
Committee members somewhat reluctantly voted in support of new bivalent versions of COVID vaccines despite a lack of clinical trial data, citing the example of annual flu-shot revisions.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, blamed the lack of support on months of harassment and misinformation by a small but highly vocal and organized minority of anti-vaxxers.