FDA advisory panel votes against recommending COVID-19 booster shots for anyone not over 65 or at risk

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted against green-lighting COVID-19 booster shots Friday for most people — throwing up a major hurdle for President Biden’s plan to dole out a third dose to most Americans.

But the independent panel, which reviewed a 23-page FDA briefing document highlighting recent studies,  recommended emergency use of a third dose for Americans over age 65 and those at high risk of severe infection.

The panel said more data is needed before it can okay boosters for people ages 16 and older, and that the two-dose Pfizer regimen is still highly protective against the spread of the super-contagious Delta variant for most people.