FDA proposes most Americans receive one annual COVID vaccine -- like the flu shot

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering a new COVID-19 vaccine strategy that would see Americans getting a single annual shot, similar to the flu vaccine.

Up until now, Americans who've gotten a primary series have received boosters that have targeted specific variants, with the most recent booster targeting the original variant

and the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.MORE: DeSantis calls for permanent ban on COVID mask and vaccine mandates. Here's what that means However, the Vaccines and

Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the FDA's advisory panel, is holding a meeting Thursday to discuss a new schedule: one shot every year for all Americans,

regardless of vaccination status. According to briefing documents published Monday, the new approach would simplify public health messaging on when to get COVID vaccines,

with the hope that making the guidance easier for people to understand could potentially increase vaccination rates in the U.S. There might be an exception, however, for

people at higher risk of severe disease, including senior citizens and immunocompromised people. The FDA proposal suggests these groups continue receiving two shots per year.

Younger children who have never been vaccinated or infected with the virus would also continue with two shots a year. "In age and risk groups presumed to have

'insufficient preexisting immunity,' two doses of an approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine may be needed to induce the expected protective immunity for the desired duration,"

the proposal reads.