The decision means many Americans without underlying conditions may not have access to updated shots this fall."I think we have to admit to ourselves that America is deeply divided on the policy issue of repeat COVID-19 vaccine doses or boosters,

In the NEJM article, the FDA notes that covid booster uptake has been low in the US, with less than a quarter of people getting the shot each year. “There may even be a ripple effect: public trust in vaccination in general has declined,” it says.

The VRBPAC meeting comes the week after the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that members consider using monovalent JN.1- or KP.2-lineage COVID-19 vaccine formulations -- the same as last year's -- with monovalent LP.8.1 lineage as a suitable alternative formulation.