US Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccine

The United States on Monday approved COVID-19 vaccines with formulations that more closely target presently circulating variants, as infections are again on the rise.

The new approvals relate to updated vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer that correspond to an Omicron sublineage. The Food and Drug Administration finalized that the benefits of getting the shots outweigh the risks for those aged six months and up.

“Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” senior FDA official Peter Marks stated.

Both companies issued statements which states they expect their vaccines to be largely available in pharmacies and clinics within the coming days.

A panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have a meeting to offer clinical recommendations about who should receive the updated vaccines.

However, President Joe Biden’s administration has constantly pushed for annual Covid boosters for most Americans and it is expected the CDC will offer similar guidance.

That policy would be at odds with much of Europe, where boosters are generally recommended for the elderly or those at higher risk because of underlying medical conditions.

This is the situation in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.