FDA advisors meeting to discuss future of COVID-19 vaccines
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(CNN) - Vaccine advisors from the Food and Drug Administration are meeting Thursday to discuss the future of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.
Currently, the U.S. offers two types of COVID-19 vaccines - a primary series of shots followed by booster shots. However, a parade of variants has challenged the system.
While nearly 70% of Americans have had their primary shots, just 15% have gotten a booster.
FDA advisors are considering a shift to a once-a-year COVID-19 shot, similar to the flu vaccine.
The shot would likely cover multiple strains of the virus and only those with weakened immune systems would then be encouraged to get a second shot.
The advisory committee will also look at how well the current booster shots are working.
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that boosters cut the risk of infection by about half and provide even higher protections against severe illness and death.
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