The FDA Approves Updated Covid Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given approval for the updated Covid vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. These vaccines are now on track to reach Americans within days as hospitalizations from the virus continue to rise in the United States.
Approval Pending for Novavax Vaccine
While Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved, the FDA has not made a decision on the updated Covid shot from Novavax.
Vaccines Authorized for Different Age Groups
The newly approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are authorized for individuals aged 12 and older. They are also authorized for emergency use in children aged 6 months through 11 years. However, last year’s Covid boosters from these companies are no longer authorized in the U.S.
Recommendation from CDC Still Needed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will determine who should receive the approved vaccines. A CDC advisory panel is scheduled to meet and vote on a recommendation for the vaccines.
Reassurance Amid Rising Covid Cases
The arrival of updated vaccines provides some reassurance as the nation experiences an increase in Covid cases and hospitalizations. Although the vaccines do not specifically target the dominant variants, they still offer protection against those strains as children return to school and the weather gets cooler.
Availability and Administration of Vaccines
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla expects the new Covid vaccines to be available in the coming days, pending recommendations from public health authorities. He suggests that people can ask their doctors about receiving an updated Covid shot during the same appointment as their annual flu shot, saving time and helping prevent severe disease later.
Protection Against Variants
Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have shared early trial data indicating that their new shots still provide protection against variants such as Eris and BA.2.86. The FDA has stated that the updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against Covid-19 from the currently circulating variants.
Changes in Vaccine Distribution
The upcoming vaccine rollout will be the first since the end of the U.S. Covid public health emergency. This means that vaccine distribution will shift to the private market, where manufacturers will sell their updated shots directly to healthcare providers at higher prices. However, private insurers and government payers like Medicare are expected to provide the vaccines to people for no fee.
Encouraging Vaccination
The Biden administration is urging Americans to receive an updated Covid shot this fall. Vaccination remains the safest protection against hospitalization, long-term health outcomes, and death. However, the CDC reports that only around 17% of the U.S. population has received Pfizer and Moderna’s latest boosters since their approval in September last year.
