The Food and Drug Administration has approved the newly updated version of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for use during the upcoming respiratory illness season. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Pfizer and BioNTech announced Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved newly updated version of their COVID-19 vaccine, which has been formulated to attack the now-dominant variant of the virus.
The FDA has given the thumbs-up on their 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine formula specifically targeting the XFG variant for use in adults ages 65 years and older, the drugmakers announced in a release.
The approval for mRNA-type vaccine, called COMIRNATY XFG, also covers people ages 5 through 64 with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
"This season's Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will begin shipping immediately and will be available in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics across the U.S. in the coming days," the companies said.
