Twenty-five members of Congress are asking U.S. drug regulators to explain why they cleared COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for 12- to 15-year-olds without consulting a panel of expert advisers. The population is at little risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this month authorized a booster of Pfizer’s shot for the age group. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and the 23 other lawmakers in a new letter asked the FDA’s acting director, Dr. Janet Woodcock, to identify all individuals who provided input into the agency’s decision not to convene Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which last year rejected an effort to authorize boosters for all adults 16 and older. They also asked for an explanation of why the panel was not convened before the “unusual decision,” including what factors were utilized and what scientific materials the FDA relied upon. …