Pfizer a lso a nnounced that its reformulated vaccine produces an antibody response against the various omicron sublineages in circulation. Moderna said its updated COVID-19 vaccine prompts a strong immune response against BA.2.86 and generates neutralizing antibodies against other variants, including EG.5, and FL.1.5.1. However, new data suggests BA.2.86 may not be as immune-evasive as initially thought and that the updated COVID shots are likely still effective against the strain. This summer, a highly mutated new variant called BA.2.86 or “Pirola” gained global attention after health experts thought it was more adept at bypassing immunity from vaccination and prior infection than other variatns. In recent months, the XBB.1.5 subvariant targeted in the updated vaccine has been overtaken by new strains including HV.1, EG.5 or "Eris," F.L.1.5.1 (dubbed "Fornax"), and XBB.1.16 or " Arcturus" - which are all descendants of the omicron XBB lineage and close relatives of XBB.1.5, reported previously.įortunately, the updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against the variants currently circulating, the FDA said. The bivalent vaccine is no longer authorized by the FDA, the CDC said. The previous booster rolled out last fall was bivalent, meaning it included two strains - the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, says Mulligan. Unlike the last round of boosters, the updated mRNA vaccines are monovalent, which means they target one variant. Mark Mulligan, director of NYU Langone Vaccine Center, tells. It may be first of what will become an "annual COVID-19 shot" that gets revamped every year, similar to the seasonal influenza vaccine, Dr. for most of 2023.Īlthough many are referring to the updated vaccine as a booster, the shot looks different from its predecessors. The newest COVID-19 booster is an updated vaccine that targets the omicron XBB.1.5 variant, which was the dominant strain circulating in the U.S. Here's what else we know about the updated vaccine, availability, side effects and cost so far. "They did have some hiccups right at the beginning, but that's all been ironed out," said Cohen. However, experts say they do not expect long-term delays in COVID-19 vaccine availability, and the Biden administration says insurance issues for COVID-19 vaccines have largely been resolved. Last month, parents reported difficulties getting their children vaccinated as providers struggled to stock up on child-size doses. The initial vaccine rollout hit some speed bumps, including high demand at pharmacies, cancelled appointments and insurance obstacles, the Associated Press reported. “Getting vaccinated is still the most important way you can protect yourself and your family.” “COVID continues to pose a health threat, but we have more and more tools,” said Cohen. What's more, cases of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are increasing, stoking fears about another " tripledemic" of COVID-19, flu and RSV. The CDC recommends everyone who is eligible get least one dose of an updated booster to protect against serious COVID-related outcomes, including hospitalization and death.Īlthough COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are trending downward after a late summer surge, experts expect cases to rise again this winter, following seasonal trends in recent years. Food and Drug Administration has approved three COVID-19 vaccine options so far: two mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for everyone 6 months and older, and one protein-based non-mRNA vaccine from Novavax for everyone ages 12 and older, NBC News reported. ![]() 21.Īlthough the updated COVID-19 vaccines only target one variant, omicron XBB.1.5, the shots are expected to offer protection against more recent strains, including the newly dominant HV.1 variant, EG.5 or "Eris" and BA.2.86 or "Pirola." “As we get into the holidays, we need to protect each other, and too few people have gotten the vaccine so far,” CDC Director Dr.
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