The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for updated COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna, targeting a recent variant of the virus. This decision comes just in time for the upcoming fall vaccination campaign, aiming to bolster protection as the colder months approach.
The new vaccines are designed to target the KP.2 variant, which was circulating earlier this year. Although KP.2 is no longer the dominant strain, it remains closely related to the variants currently spreading across the United States. By focusing on KP.2, health regulators anticipate enhanced protection against a range of circulating variants.
“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” stated Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The updated shots aim to more closely align with current virus mutations, offering better defense against severe symptoms of the disease.
Both Moderna’s vaccine, branded as Spikevax, and Pfizer’s vaccine, developed in partnership with BioNTech under the name Comirnaty, have been approved for use in individuals aged six months and older. For children under 12 years old, the vaccines are authorized under the FDA’s emergency use pathway.
Notably, the FDA did not approve the protein-based vaccine developed by Novavax, which presents an alternative for those hesitant about mRNA vaccines. However, Novavax is working closely with the FDA and expects to receive authorization in time for the peak vaccination season. The company has been manufacturing doses in anticipation, despite the longer production time associated with their vaccine developed in moth cells.
The approval of these updated vaccines arrives amid a rise in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths over the past three months in the U.S. While demand for vaccines has decreased since the pandemic’s peak, health officials emphasize the importance of staying protected against evolving virus strains.
Reference(s):
U.S. FDA approves updated COVID-19 shots ahead of fall and winter
cgtn.com
