FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Wastewater data has indicated that levels of the virus are very high across the United States. The KP.3.1.1 strain has been found to account for 37% of all cases in most of August.

The FDA stated that the updated mRNA vaccines will target strains of the virus that have been prominent during the summer surge in cases, including the KP.2 strain. Another manufacturer shared that it is awaiting the agency’s response on developing a vaccine against the JN.1 strain using protein technology, which often takes longer than mRNA vaccines to produce, according to a news report from CNN. Because of the higher number of cases, the FDA’s decision comes several weeks sooner than the same decision in 2022.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that individuals 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine to prevent their risk of serious infections, hospitalization and death. Those who have already received nonupdated COVID-19 vaccines were advised to wait about four months between vaccines.

The manufacturers of the updated vaccines have said shots will be available in pharmacies and clinics within the week.

Read more: FDA

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