The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved new Covid-19 booster vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna as a new variant of the virus begins to surge.
The new subvariant, XBB.1.5, has been the cause of a surge in cases over the past few weeks. The new boosters are expected to be available this week after approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Food and Drug Administration took action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” The FDA said in a statement.
Novavax, which also makes a Covid vaccine, said their vaccine is currently under review by the FDA. One of the predominant strains is called EG.5, which accounts for about 22% of new cases.
Moderna and Pfizer both stated that their boosters appeared to work against BA.2.86.
“Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a news release Monday.
“The public can be assured that these updated vaccines have met the agency’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. We very much encourage those who are eligible to consider getting vaccinated.”
