Trump Administration Restricts COVID Booster Access to High-Risk Groups, Urges More Data for Broader Use

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that updated seasonal COVID-19 vaccines will be limited this fall to seniors and other high-risk individuals, pending further data on their effectiveness for the broader population, as per The AP.

The decision raises concerns about whether healthy adults who want a booster will be able to receive one.

Top officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled a new framework for COVID-19 vaccinations, stating that a streamlined approval process will continue for people aged 65 and older, as well as for children and younger adults with at least one high-risk medical condition.

The FDA published its updated guidance Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The agency called on vaccine manufacturers to conduct more extensive clinical trials before seeking approval for updated vaccines intended for lower-risk groups. This marks a significant shift from the earlier federal policy that recommended an annual COVID-19 shot for everyone aged six months and older.

FDA Commissioner Martin Markary and other top health officials emphasized that the change is not a rollback, but rather a targeted approach to ensure vaccines are most effectively distributed. In a webcast presentation, Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s lead vaccine official, estimated that more than 100 million Americans would still be eligible for boosters under the new policy.

Prasad described the decision as a “reasonable compromise” that balances continued protection for vulnerable populations with the need for more data on long-term benefits for healthier individuals.

The move comes amid ongoing public and scientific debate about the future of COVID-19 vaccinations as the virus becomes endemic and evolves.