U.S. FDA vaccine advisors debate boosters as Biden administration plans rollout

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Debate over whether Americans should receive a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as planned by the Biden administration moved to a panel of independent expert advisers to the U.S.

health officials planning the booster shot rollout are also eyeing rising COVID-19 cases.

Pfizer's (PFE.N) application to the FDA for a booster was for ages 16 and up, and the panel has been asked to weigh only one question: does the safety and effectiveness data support approval of a booster at least six months after the second dose for people aged 16 and older.

An analysis by Israeli scientists published on Wednesday found that among 1.1 million people age 60 or older who had been fully vaccinated at least five months earlier, those who received a booster were less likely to be infected or become severely ill than those who did not get the third shot.

The Israeli Health Ministry said in documents on Friday that immunity against infection declined during July among all age groups, but particularly among people aged 60 and over who had been vaccinated in January.

Eight top health officials in the Biden administration - including the FDA and CDC heads - said in August they believe booster shots will be needed because emerging data shows that protection against COVID-19 decreases over time