Coronavirus

FDA To Streamline Process For New Booster Shots

The FDA is planning a rapid review process to approve booster shots for COVID variants.

FDA To Streamline Process For New Booster Shots
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / AP
SMS

The FDA says approval for booster shots targeting new coronavirus variants would happen much more quickly than approval for the initial vaccines.

The agency is planning a rapid review process, meaning it wouldn't require the large-scale trials needed for emergency use authorization.

Pfizer and Moderna say they're already preparing for variants that would require a new booster shot to be developed.

This comes as existing vaccines have been shown to be less effective against variants coming out of South Africa and Brazil.