US limits Covid-19 boosters to over-65s or those at high risk
The United States will limit Covid-19 boosters to people over 65 or those at risk of serious illness, while requiring vaccine makers to run fresh clinical trials before offering shots to younger and healthier individuals, officials said Tuesday.
Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration's Vinayak Prasad and Commissioner Martin Makary framed the policy shift as 'evidence-based' and would align the US more closely with guidance in Europe.
But it comes as US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jnr, a long-time vaccine sceptic, pushes to remake federal public health policy.
Kennedy previously led a non-profit group that was critical of immunisation programmes, and during the pandemic petitioned the FDA to revoke Covid vaccine authorisations, citing rare side effects including heart inflammation.
Prasad and Makary praised the initial Covid-19 vaccine roll-out as 'a major scientific, medical, and regulatory accomplishment', but argued that the benefits of repeated boosters for low-risk individuals are uncertain.
They criticised the US approach of recommending boosters for all adults regardless of age or health status, calling it a 'one-size-fits-all' model based on the mistaken belief that Americans could not handle more nuanced, risk-based advice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
5 dog food buying tips to ensure the best nutrition for your pet given its breed and size
Choosing your dog's food can feel overwhelming because of the array of options available, all claiming to be the best on the market. Wading through these choices to find a brand that is healthy, affordable and appealing to your pet can be frustrating. The American Kennel Club offers tips on how to choose the best dog food for your pet. Nutritional needs It is important to remember that not every dog has the same nutritional needs. Large dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements from small dogs and puppies. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult, which is why it's a good idea to give them a puppy formula or an 'all life stages' food. There are a lot of claims surrounding dog food, so check that nutritional information is supported by a credible source. Photo: Shutterstock Myths and misinformation The internet is full of claims about dog nutrition with scientific evidence to back them up. While doing your research, check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a vet, canine nutritionist or scientific study. Dog food labels
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Rethink measures against e-cigarettes for a smoke-free Hong Kong
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification I refer to '70% of Hongkongers under 25 have tried e-cigarettes: university poll' ( May 23 ). While some support a complete ban on alternative smoking products (ASPs), their widespread use is crystal clear evidence that the current ban on selling ASPs is not working. This ban was imposed in 2022 and the tax on tobacco was increased twice, in 2023 and 2024. But between 2021 and 2023, the number of smokers only dropped by 9,200, a decline similar to previous years. With nearly 600,000 smokers remaining, is banning ASPs truly the best way to accelerate the drop in the smoking population and achieve a smoke-free Hong Kong? Around the world, there are more countries that regulate ASPs (more than 80) than ban them. The United Kingdom's 'swap to stop' programme and the United States Food and Drug Administration's authorisation to sell some products as 'modified risk tobacco products' are important examples of a global shift towards pragmatic, science-based solutions.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Rethink measures against e-cigarettes for a smoke-free Hong Kong
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification I refer to '70% of Hongkongers under 25 have tried e-cigarettes: university poll' ( May 23 ). While some support a complete ban on alternative smoking products (ASPs), their widespread use is crystal clear evidence that the current ban on selling ASPs is not working. This ban was imposed in 2022 and the tax on tobacco was increased twice, in 2023 and 2024. But between 2021 and 2023, the number of smokers only dropped by 9,200, a decline similar to previous years. With nearly 600,000 smokers remaining, is banning ASPs truly the best way to accelerate the drop in the smoking population and achieve a smoke-free Hong Kong? Around the world, there are more countries that regulate ASPs (more than 80) than ban them. The United Kingdom's 'swap to stop' programme and the United States Food and Drug Administration's authorisation to sell some products as 'modified risk tobacco products' are important examples of a global shift towards pragmatic, science-based solutions.
