Amid rising cases and hospitalisations, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday, the 11th of September, approved updated Covid-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, reports US media portal CNN.
The updated mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech teach the immune system how to fight the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, as well as other closely related virus strains that are currently circulating.
Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have reported that vaccines are effective against the EG.5 variant currently dominant in the USA. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an independent panel of experts advising the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will evaluate the safety and efficacy of these updated vaccines and make recommendations on their use. Once the CDC director approves these recommendations, the vaccines can be used.
The updated Covid-19 vaccines are approved for use in
children aged 12 years and older and adults,
and in emergency use in children aged six months to 11 years.
The FDA recommends that children aged six months to four years who have not been previously vaccinated against Covid-19 receive three doses of the updated Pfizer/BioNTech or two doses of the updated Moderna booster. For children in this age group who have been previously vaccinated, the number and timing of doses depends on vaccination history.
Children aged five years and older and adults may receive one dose of the booster vaccine at least two months after the last dose of any Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination status.
With the FDA’s updated requirements, the previous bivalent Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines are no longer authorised for use in the US.
Health officials stress the importance of getting vaccinated as
the number of Covid-19 hospitalisations in the US rises
and concerns grow about the upcoming flu and respiratory viral season. Experts are concerned about the potential impact of the simultaneous spread of coronavirus, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this autumn. RSV levels have increased, especially in the southern USA.
Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, highlighted the crucial role of vaccination in protecting against the serious consequences of Covid-19, adding that the updated vaccines meet the FDA’s stringent safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality standards, giving confidence to the public and encouraging vaccination.
Dr. Dan Barouch, Director of the Centre for Virology and Vaccine Research, said the updated Covid-19 vaccines will have the greatest impact on those at highest risk of severe disease. He added that while these booster vaccines may not provide strong protection against infection or mild disease, they
are very important for people at risk of severe disease.
The updated Covid-19 vaccines will be available to those who need them and are expected to remain free, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, Executive Director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
Read also: European Commission approves vaccine for XBB.1.5 Omicron variant of Covid-19