Updated COVID Vaccines Recommended by US CDC for Ages Six Months and Up

June 29 :
Everyone six months and older, regardless of vaccination history, should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine during the 2024-25 immunization campaign, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The advisory panel's unanimous vote on June 27 echoes the agency's recommendation to use updated COVID-19 vaccinations in individuals aged six months and up, as allowed or recommended by the FDA.

According to the CDC, the new vaccinations from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer will be ready later this year, and the recommendation will be put into place at that time.

In a recent request, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that vaccine producers reconsider their previous focus on the JN.1 lineage and, if possible, modify the new injections to target the KP.2 variety.

Both Moderna and Novavax had applied to the FDA to update the JN.1 strain vaccine for the fall of 2024. Noting that their shot demonstrated wide cross-neutralizing antibodies against many variations, including KP.2 and KP.3, Novavax stated that they planned to release their improved vaccine during the beginning of the vaccination season after they had FDA authorization.

Compared to Novavax's protein-based shot, messenger RNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna can be produced at a faster rate. In early May, the JN.1 strain dominated the American market. Although its occurrence has decreased, 4.4 percent of cases during the two-week period ending June 22 were likely due to it, according to CDC data.

Based on estimates, the KP.2 strain was responsible for around 20.8% of cases, while the more dominant KP.3 strain accounted for 33.1%.

In order to evaluate the components of future COVID vaccine formulations, Pfizer said that it was engaging in global conversations with regulators, including the FDA. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech also promised to be prepared to offer their updated vaccinations as soon as they were approved, while Moderna promised to have theirs available for the fall immunization campaign. Drug companies Pfizer and Moderna have both stated their readiness to provide vaccinations that target either the JN.1 or KP.2 mutations.