The FDA wants to simplify the use and updating of vaccines against covid-19

(CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to simplify the process for the Covid-19 vaccine so that it is more like what happens with the flu vaccine, according to documents posted online this Monday. That means simplifying vaccine composition, immunization schedules, and regular updates on covid-19 vaccines.

The FDA said it expects to test circulating strains of the virus that causes Covid-19 at least once a year and decide by June which strains to select for the fall season, as well as the process for updating flu vaccines.

Going forward, the agency said, most people may need only one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to restore protection, regardless of how many doses of the vaccine they have already received. Two doses may be needed for very young people who have not been exposed, or for older or immunocompromised people, according to the FDA’s information document for its vaccine advisers.

Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.

“This simplification of vaccine composition should reduce complexity, decrease vaccine administration errors due to the complexity of the number of different vial presentations, and potentially increase vaccine compliance by allowing clearer communication,” the FDA said.

The FDA’s plan was first reported on National Public Radio, NPR.

The agency’s independent vaccine advisors, the Vaccines and Related Biologicals Advisory Committee, will meet this thursday to discuss the future of covid-19 vaccine regimens, and will be asked to vote on whether to recommend parts of the FDA’s plan.