The US Food and Drug Administration has signed off on updated Covid-19 vaccines for many Americans.
Pfizer and BioNTech said Wednesday that the agency had approved their mRNA-based Covid shot for all adults 65 and older, as well as anyone ages 5 through 64 who has a condition that raises their risk of severe illness. The vaccine targets the LP.8.1 strain of the coronavirus.
Moderna said Wednesday that it had received approval for its two mRNA-based vaccines: Spikevax for people ages 6 months through 64 who have an underlying condition and anyone 65 or older; and mNexspike for people ages 12 through 64 who have an underlying condition and anyone 65 or older. Both formulations target the XFG subvariant of the JN.1 coronavirus strain.
Nuvaxovid, the only protein-based Covid vaccine available in the US, also received FDA approval Wednesday for everyone 65 and older and for those 12 through 64 who have underlying conditions, drugmaker Novavax said. It targets the JN.1 strain.
Health conditions that may raise the risk of severe illness include asthma; heart, kidney, liver or lung disease; diabetes; obesity; and pregnancy, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
