FDA Expected to Allow ‘Mix and Match’ Approach to COVID-19 Booster Shots

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow a “mix and match” approach to COVID-19 booster shots. What does that mean? Fully vaccinated Americans will be able to choose which shot they want, even if it is different from what they initially received.

The New York Times reports that the news comes on the heels of a study presented to the FDA advisory panel last week by the National Institute of Health that suggested people that received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine might benefit from receiving a Pfizer or Moderna booster.

The study found that people who got the J&J vaccine saw a significant rise in antibody levels when receiving a Moderna booster compared to receiving another round of J&J.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA had previously advised against mixing vaccines from the three manufacturers. Previously, it was recommended that people stuck with the manufacturer they chose for their first dose.

The CDC is expected to review the data on Thursday and then issue a recommendation.

The FDA is expected to approve booster shots for everyone 18 and older who received the J&J vaccine. Pfizer boosters have been approved for those 65 and older or high risk, which is expected to be the guidelines for Moderna.