If the CDC committee has its way, all Americans 6 months and older will be eligible for an updated COVID booster vaccine tailored to the new Omicron strain.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 13-1 on Tuesday to approve newer booster doses from Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax for the vast majority of U.S. residents, although the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved Novavax’s updated vaccine. The agency on Monday approved such boosters from Moderna and Pfizer.
Officials said at Tuesday’s committee meeting that the CDC anticipates there will be enough supply so there will be no need to prioritize certain groups, such as the elderly or immunocompromised people, for first doses.
The CDC must now accept or reject the committee’s recommendation. It is expected to accept them, and the boosters may be available to the public by the end of this week.
Updated vaccines tailored to previously dominant strains
The new booster, while expected to provide good protection against currently circulating strains, including ‘Pirola’ BA.2.86, is tailored against the XBB.1.5 ‘Kraken’ strain that was dominant late last year and early this year .
Although most circulating strains are members of the XBB virus family, XBB.1.5 itself is nearly extinct.It was estimated to be responsible for only 3.1% of U.S. infections 10 days ago Latest variant data CDC has provided.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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