Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines approved by US FDA

Robert Besser
17 Sep 2023, 07:30 GMT+10

The U.S. FDA-approved the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for launch later this week for the fall vaccination campaign
The FDA approved the two shots for people aged 12 and above and for emergency use in children aged six months to 11 years
Pfizer and Moderna said their updated vaccines, which target the XBB.1.5 sub-variant of the virus, will be available for most people in the U.S. in the coming days

SILVER SPRING, Maryland: This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for launch later this week for the fall vaccination campaign, while a third vaccine made by Novavax is still under review.

The FDA approved the two shots for people aged 12 and above and for emergency use in children aged six months to 11 years.

Pfizer and Moderna said their updated vaccines, which target the XBB.1.5 sub-variant of the virus, will be available for most people in the U.S. in the coming days.

In a statement, leading FDA scientist Dr. Peter Marks said, "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."

Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said she expects the new shots to roll out in September.

The approval by the FDA follows a recent rise in cases of the new EG.5 sub-variant of Omicron, nicknamed "Eris," which has begun to spread rapidly in the U.S. and other countries.

Scientists also have raised concerns about the highly mutated BA.2.86 sub-variant, detected in several countries.

Last week, Pfizer and Moderna said that their updated COVID-19 vaccines generated strong responses in testing against BA.2.86.

After the U.S. government ended its COVID-19 public health emergency status in May and handed over the responsibility for vaccinations to the private sector, demand for the vaccine has dropped sharply.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to The UK News.

More Information

13 ℃

Partly Cloudy in Newham

International

Section

Canada's TMX expansion may triple oil flow to country's Pacific Coast

CALGARY, Canada: From early 2024, the long-delayed and controversial Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX) is expected to ...

Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings go live on state TV

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings were broadcast live on state television on Monday, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the ...

9 teenagers caught after escaping from Pennsylvania detention center

MORGANTOWN, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania state police said that nine teenage boys who escaped from the Abraxas Academy detention center this week ...

3,000 homeless in Anchorage looking for a place to stay before winter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Anchorage is struggling to find housing options for more than 3,000 homeless residents, as the city's mass shelter ...

South Korean teachers seek legal defense against abusive parents

SEOUL, South Korea: Thousands of South Korean educators and school staff gathered in Seoul over the weekend to demand increased ...

Polish government bans all Russian-registered passenger cars

WARSAW, Poland: As part of European Union (EU) sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Poland banned all ...

Football

Section