Pfizer

Should people who get a COVID booster get a different vaccine from their original shot? The results of a highly anticipated study suggest that in some cases the answer may be yes.

"With new cases in children in the U.S. continuing to be at a high level, this submission is an important step in our ongoing effort against #COVID19," the pharmaceutical giant said.

A third shot of the vaccine can be given at least six months after the two-dose regimen, according to the authorization. A booster rollout could begin this week.

President Biden said the U.S. will buy 500 million more vaccine doses. The goal is to vaccinate 70% of the world's population within a year. But more rich nations need to pitch in, he said.

He estimates the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be available for children by November or December.

Pfizer and BioNTech say that early trial results show their vaccine established a strong antibody response against the coronavirus. FDA review is still needed.

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration supported boosters of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for a smaller group of people after they voted against recommending it for anyone 16 and older.

Pfizer says data supports its request for Food and Drug Administration approval of a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine about six months after the second dose in people 16 years and older.

Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's vaccine, the company delivered fewer doses than its government contract projected. Federal officials say they didn't know why.

The FDA announced the Pfizer vaccine is the first in the U.S. that is now fully approved. Here's what that means for vaccine mandates and convincing vaccine-hesitant people to get vaccinated.

Now that the Food and Drug Administration has fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, South Florida health care experts hope to see more vaccine mandates and more people getting their shots. Facilities that provide health care, like hospitals and nursing homes, don’t usually require staff to get vaccines that only have emergency use authorization.

The approval replaces the emergency use authorizations granted last December and could make it easier for employers, the military and universities to mandate vaccination.