FDA Approves Updated COVID Vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted on Sept. 11, 2023 to approve and to authorize for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines that more closely target the currently circulating variants than the prior vaccines. They are expected to provide stronger protection against serious consequences of the current variants, including hospitalization and death.

The updated vaccines were approved for individuals age 12 and older and were authorized for emergency use among children age 6 months through age 11. The FDA's actions apply to mRNA monovalent vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

The FDA noted in its press release that the updated vaccines are manufactured using a similar process as the prior formulations that have been administered to hundreds of millions of people in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet on Sept. 12, 2023 to discuss clinical recommendations related to the administration of the vaccines. The FDA indicated that the updated vaccines will be available in the near future.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org