The FDA is proposing a move to annual COVID shots. Some experts worry it’s too soon, and too simple of an approach

The FDA is proposing a move to annual COVID shots. Some experts worry it’s too soon, and too simple of an approach

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking to simplify the COVID vaccine regimen, potentially moving to annual boosters similar to those given for the flu, the

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking to simplify the COVID vaccine regimen, potentially moving to annual boosters similar to those given for the flu, the

federal agency said in a report today. An FDA advisory committee is expected to discuss the possibility of a simplified COVID vaccination schedule—as well the

federal agency said in a report today. An FDA advisory committee is expected to discuss the possibility of a simplified COVID vaccination schedule—as well the

decision-making process on the composition of future boosters—on Thursday, according to a briefing document posted by the federal agency. But it may be too soon to

decision-making process on the composition of future boosters—on Thursday, according to a briefing document posted by the federal agency. But it may be too soon to

commit to an annual booster for all, some experts tell Fortune. The virus has not yet fully settled into a pattern of seasonality and may never. COVID spikes do tend to occur in

commit to an annual booster for all, some experts tell Fortune. The virus has not yet fully settled into a pattern of seasonality and may never. COVID spikes do tend to occur in

winter, along with the flu, due to factors that drive both, like cold weather and increased indoor gatherings. But COVID waves can and do occur throughout the year, as new

winter, along with the flu, due to factors that drive both, like cold weather and increased indoor gatherings. But COVID waves can and do occur throughout the year, as new

variants arise. Timing of waves aside, those at high risk for COVID—due to age and/or health conditions—may continue to require more frequent dosing, they caution.

variants arise. Timing of waves aside, those at high risk for COVID—due to age and/or health conditions—may continue to require more frequent dosing, they caution.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, doesn’t think a “one-size-fits-all booster policy” makes

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, doesn’t think a “one-size-fits-all booster policy” makes

sense at this point in the pandemic, he tells Fortune. “Not everyone is at the same risk,” he advises. Dr. Michael Merson, visiting professor at New York

sense at this point in the pandemic, he tells Fortune. “Not everyone is at the same risk,” he advises. Dr. Michael Merson, visiting professor at New York

University’s School of Global Public Health, agrees with Adalja that a blanket policy may not be the best approach. And it may not be the most cost-effective one, he advises.

University’s School of Global Public Health, agrees with Adalja that a blanket policy may not be the best approach. And it may not be the most cost-effective one, he advises.

“Perhaps we should devise such a strategy for the elderly and others at greatest risk of severe disease,” he recommends.

“Perhaps we should devise such a strategy for the elderly and others at greatest risk of severe disease,” he recommends.