Jeff Mason, Ahmed Aboulenein

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – The rise in COVID-19 cases has prompted health officials to consider extending eligibility for a second COVID-19 vaccination booster drug to those under 50.

Late March saw the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorize a second boost dose. Moderna (NASDAQ:) Pfizer/BioNTech SE vaccinations for persons aged 50-plus, Citing data showing declining immunity and potential risks from Omicron viruses.

On Wednesday, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Wanksy stated that a fourth dose for people under 50 years old will require FDA action.

Walensky, speaking at a White House briefing said that the number of cases has steadily increased over the past five week. She stated that the seven-day mean daily incidence of cases rose 26% over the previous week, to 94,000, and threefold since the month ended. She said that the seven-day average hospitalization was now at about 3,000 per hour, and the death average was at 275 per daily.

Walensky stated, “We must not forget that every person who is killed by COVID-19 was a tragedy”