In order to launch a fall booster campaign, Pfizer requested approval from American regulators on Monday for its combination COVID-19 vaccine, which adds protection against the newest omicron relatives.
In order to target BA.4 and BA.5, which are more adept than ever at evading immunity from prior vaccination or infection, the Food and Drug Administration ordered vaccine manufacturers to modify their shots.
If the FDA rapidly approves the improved vaccine—a step not anticipated to need waiting on further studies—Pfizer and its partner BioNTech hope to deliver updated boosters to people 12 and older. Shots could start occurring in the coming weeks.
Moderna is anticipated to submit a comparable application for improved boosters for adults very soon. If the FDA gets the go-ahead, the U.S. has a deal to purchase 105 million Pfizer doses and 66 million Moderna doses.