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[**Blue**View](https://blog.helmerinc.com) - Vaccine Manufacturers Request Authorization for Fourth Dose # Vaccine Manufacturers Request Authorization for Fourth Dose Posted on Mar 31, 2022 by Brandon Russell [![A person preparing a vaccine](https://blog.helmerinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Vaccine/Blog%20-%20COVID%20update.jpg?width=600&name=Blog%20-%20COVID%20update.jpg)](https://www.helmerinc.com/vaccine-refrigerators-freezers) Roughly 15 months after the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S., vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna have submitted requests to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of a second booster – a fourth dose overall – for certain population groups.  The vaccine manufacturers suggest a fourth dose may be necessary to help prevent serious disease among individuals with compromised immune systems or those older than 65, especially as additional COVID-19 variants continue to emerge.   **Who does the authorization request cover?**  [Pfizer’s request](https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-submit-us-emergency-use-authorization) is focused on those 65 and older while [Moderna’s broader request](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-18/moderna-requests-fda-approval-for-fourth-covid-shot-for-adults) includes anyone 18 or older, which the manufacturer says will provide healthcare providers broader discretion to decide who should be eligible for an additional vaccine dose. Moderna recommended those older than 65 and anyone at higher risk for severe disease should be prioritized. According to the [CDC](https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations), there are more than 217 million fully vaccinated Americans. Of these, 194 million are older than 18 and 49 million are older than 65.  **Who is currently eligible for a fourth dose?**  Currently, the only individuals approved for a fourth vaccine dose are those with weakened immune systems, including people who have had organ or stem cell transplants, are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, have advanced or untreated HIV infection, or are on immune-suppressing drugs.  **When will a decision be made, and what does this mean for vaccine supply?**  While there is no timeline for the FDA to issue a ruling on the requests, if approved, it would mean millions of additional doses would need to be manufactured and stored to meet demand.     The [CDC has provided guidance](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html) relating to long- and short-term storage of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both of which recommend purpose-built freezer and refrigeration storage units that utilize a detachable temperature probe that best reflects vaccine temperature (e.g. a buffered probe or ballast) as well as a digital data logger (DDL) for accurate temperature monitoring.  ##### Other Blogs You Might Be Interested In...  - [Rising to the challenge to support COVID-19 vaccine cold storage](https://blog.helmerinc.com/rising-to-the-challenge-to-support-covid-19-vaccine-cold-storage) - [Medical-grade vaccine storage can help prevent vaccine and financial loss](https://blog.helmerinc.com/preventvaccineloss) - [USP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Handling Toolkit Addresses Challenges](https://blog.helmerinc.com/usp-covid-19-vaccine-handling-toolkit-addresses-challenges) - [Helmer Scientific’s GX Solutions Refrigerators, Freezers Certified to New NSF/ANSI Vaccine Storage Safety Standard](https://blog.helmerinc.com/helmer-gx-solutions-certified-nsf-standard) Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, [Helmer Scientific](https://www.helmerinc.com/) has supported hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies by providing [the vaccine standard certified cold storage](https://blog.helmerinc.com/helmer-gx-solutions-certified-nsf-standard) solutions to support safe and effective vaccine administration. We will continue to work closely with healthcare professionals to deliver the resources necessary to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.  [![Learn More >>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1862406/44235cd6-1498-47f3-ad19-03e521dc1306.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1862406/44235cd6-1498-47f3-ad19-03e521dc1306) ![Brandon Russell](https://blog.helmerinc.com/hubfs/Brandon%20Russell%20HS_Small.png) ### Written by [Brandon Russell](https://blog.helmerinc.com/author/brandon-russell) Brandon Russell is the solutions marketing leader for Life Science Solutions, a business unit of Trane Technologies. He has more than 10 years of marketing experience. #### Share or write a comment! 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