Moderna, Pfizer updated mRNA COVID vaccines authorized by FDA
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Contributor since / Followers
Contributor since / Followers
4 weeks ago
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- A new formulation of COVID-19 shots from Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) have been granted Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. FDA.
- The monovalent shots target the KP.2 variant, which belongs to a group known as FLiRT variants. KP.2 is structurally similar to prior Omicron variants such as BA.2.86, JN.1, and XBB.1.5.
- Moderna’s vaccine is known as Spikevax, while Pfizer and BioNTech’s is marketed as Comirnaty.
- The jabs are expected to be available in a matter of days or weeks.
- Novavax (NVAX) has its own application for a protein-based COVID vaccine before the FDA. However, the agency has yet to grant an EUA for it.
- In June, the CDC recommended that everyone six months and older get the updated vaccine once it is available.
- The latest CDC data shows that there have been increasing trends in COVID test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths since May.