Health
Updated 2024-2025 Approved COVID Vaccines: What You Need to Know
Topline
The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines to protect against currently circulating variants, and the shots have proven to be more effective than those currently available.
A healthcare provider gives a patient a Covid injection.
Key facts
The FDA approved new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna on Thursday ahead of the 2024-2025 fall and winter respiratory virus season, and Novavax said it is still working with the FDA to gain approval ahead of the peak vaccination season.
Covid-19 cases historical peak during the fall and winter months around the same time as flu and respiratory syncytial virus season, so the updated vaccines are expected to be available sooner to help curb a rise in cases.
The FDA originally recommended that the vaccines target the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus, but later changed this recommendation to advise manufacturers to focus on the KP.2 strain of the JN line after reviewing updated case data.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text alerts so you’re always up to date with the top stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or Log In here.
When will the vaccines be available?
Each drugmaker gave different timelines for when their respective vaccines will be ready during a June meeting with the FDA. Pfizer said its vaccine “will ship immediately and be available in pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the US in the coming days,” while Moderna told Forbes its shot will be available “in the coming days.” Novavax gave a deadline of September 1.
Who is eligible for the vaccines?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older should receive an updated vaccine, regardless of whether they have been previously vaccinated. Both Modern And Pfizer’s vaccines will be available to people six months and older Novavax’s The shot will be aimed at people aged 12 and over.
Are the vaccines free?
No, the vaccines will not be as free as in previous years, although the price is not yet known. The shots will be covered for people with Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans, as in the past. according to to the CDC. The CDCs Bridge Access Program has offered free COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured adults in the past. It was supposed to end in December, but the agency announced it would close in August due to lack of funding. However, Biden administration officials are exploring whether permanent funding can be secured so that a similar vaccine program would be offered to adults who do not have insurance, the CDC said. told USA today. The Vaccines for children program will continue to provide free vaccines to children of parents who cannot afford coverage.
How effective are the vaccines?
While the currently available vaccines – originally created to combat the XBB.1.5 variant – are effective at protecting against the JN lineage, the updated vaccines from all three manufacturers provided greater protection. Moderna’s KP.2 vaccine was fine eight times more effective at protecting mice against JN variants than the XBB.1.5 vaccine. Compared to the now available XBB vaccine, Pfizer’s KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine provided a 7.3-fold stronger response to mice infected with KP.2 and several other JN variants, according to trial data. Novavax scientists gave mice an XBB.1.5 vaccine and administered the JN.1 shot 11 months later. The JN.1 vaccine was fine 48 times more effective at protecting against the JN lineage than the first XBB.1.5 shot.
Important background
Both KP.2 and JN.1 are descendants of the omicron COVID-19 variant. KP.2 was the most dominant variant circulating in the US in May, June and most of July. However, as of August 3, it is only the fifth most prominent variant, while three of its descendants are the first, second and fourth most dominant strains, according to CDC. facts. JN.1 was the most important variant in the spring, but now accounts for less than 1% of cases. KP.2 and its descendants are descendants of JN.1 and have only a few different mutations, so a JN.1-specific vaccine should provide some protection against these variants, according to to the European Medicines Agency.
