The FDA is now contemplating authorization for a second booster shot later on in 2022

Both companies are also reported to have been developing specific vaccines to target the Omicron variant of COVID, although it appears that the surge of new cases due to Omicron is almost over planet-wide, and it appears to have been much less severe than previous waves.

According to The Hill, Alison Hunt, a spokesperson for the regulatory authority, confirmed that they are "continually looking at the emerging data on the pandemic and variants in the United States and overseas in order to evaluate the potential utility and composition of booster doses."

Hunt elaborated, not committing to any particular strategy but indicating that "as more data become available about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed."

"Any determination that additional booster doses are needed will be based on data available to the agency," Hunt concluded.

White House infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci concurred, but also mentioned that it doesn't seem to be a good idea to administer it now, but rather in the fall or early winter, when the possibility of a new variant of COVID would be at its peak.