The Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 shots for the fall season on Aug. 27, implementing the tightest restrictions for who can access the vaccines in the years since they became available.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the approval on social media platform X, saying emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines have been terminated and that the Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax immunizations are approved for "those at high risk."
"These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors," Kennedy Jr. said in the post.
Pfizer issued its own press release, saying that its updated shot was approved for use in adults 65 and older and children over the age of 5 with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for experiencing negative outcomes if they get COVID-19.
Kennedy previously said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process.
At the time, he announced intentions to recommend the vaccine only for those over 65 and people with existing health problems, a promise that has come to fruition under the new FDA action. Experts have warned that this guidance could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine, as insurance companies generally follow federal recommendations.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines, but only for certain groups
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