Pfizer seeks US approval to expand booster access

Pfizer asked U.S. regulators to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older on Tuesday. Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September.

Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to nearly 96%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.