FDA Orders 2023 Fall COVID Shots Updated for Latest Omicron Strain
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 1
FDA Orders 2023 Fall COVID Shots Updated for Latest Omicron Strain
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 1
Summary
June 16, 2023, the FDA told COVID-19 vaccine makers to update fall booster shots so they target the latest Omicron strain.
The directive reflects the virus’s continued evolution and follows the flu-shot model, where vaccines are updated regularly to match circulating strains.
COVID-19 vaccines first received U.S. emergency authorization in December 2020 and have been shown in multiple studies to cut severe illness, hospitalization and death.
The update comes as CDC guidance on COVID vaccination varies by age, risk level and prior vaccination history, underscoring a more tailored phase of pandemic immunization.
After years of COVID variants, how close are we to a universal vaccine that could prevent the next coronavirus pandemic?
From Salk’s free polio vaccine to today's blockbusters, how has the economic model for developing life-saving immunizations fundamentally changed?
Why has the first cancer-prevention vaccine stalled in the US, and what will it take to overcome public hesitancy?
COVID-19 Vaccines 2024–2026: Updated Recommendations, Variant Strategies, and the Impact of Political Disruption on Public Health
Overview
For the 2024–2025 season, public health officials emphasized the importance of staying current with COVID-19 vaccination to protect individuals and prevent severe illness. Updated vaccines were designed to target prevalent strains, offering broad neutralization responses. The U.S. FDA conducted a timely review of Moderna’s updated vaccine, and Moderna encouraged people to consult healthcare providers about getting the shot. Novavax also prepared its updated vaccine in prefilled syringes, ready for distribution once authorized. Data showed Novavax’s JN.1 monovalent vaccine was effective, supporting the overall strategy to enhance protection against circulating variants.