The FDA voted against recommending a third booster shot of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.
The committee overwhelmingly rejected the booster shot by a vote of 16-2. The panel cited a lack of data that shows a third shot is necessary, especially in younger people.
"We're being asked to approve this as a three-dose vaccine for people 16 years of age and older, without any clear evidence if the third dose for a younger person when compared to an elderly person is of value," said committee member Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
"I don't think a booster dose is going to significantly contribute to controlling the pandemic," Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine said. "It is very important that the main message that we still transmit is that we have got to get everyone two doses. Everyone has got the get the primary series. This booster dose is not likely to make a big difference in the behavior of this pandemic."
After the vote, the committee took a break and will discuss voting on another, more limited measure that would approve the booster for older Americans.