The FDA has granted emergency authorization for third shots.

For several months now, booster shots have been available for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. However, while the Johnson & Johnson booster is more flexible due to its lower shot count, the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots were reserved only for the severely immunocompromised or those aged 65 and up. As the protection of early stage COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane, though, the subject of widespread booster availability has come up. Today, the US Food and Drug Administration made half of the vital decision.

This morning, the FDA officially granted emergency authorization to both Pfizer and Moderna to begin administering their vaccine booster shots to all adults in the United States aged 18 and up.

“The FDA has determined that the currently available data support expanding the eligibility of a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 18 years of age and older,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”

Before booster shots can be administered, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will need to sign off on the decision as well. A committee of independent experts is scheduled to meet this afternoon to discuss the matter. If the CDC gives the green light, booster administration can begin promptly. Any adult will be able to get a booster shot for either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, provide it has been at least six months since their second main shot was administered.