Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Use

From pandemic to endemic: what’s next for covid-19?

August 22, 2024

The FDA today approved the next version of the COVID-19 vaccine to be available this fall.

The approval is the next step to ensure distribution of the updated vaccine ahead of the upcoming respiratory virus season. The updated vaccine will target the Omicron variant KP.2 strain and is expected to be available in the coming days.

“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “These updated vaccines meet the agency’s rigorous, scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.”

Earlier this month, officials with the CDC announced the virus had moved to its endemic phase, indicating the response to the virus can be managed through available public health strategies and has become part of life.

This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also announced a new campaign ahead of the next respiratory virus season.

Here’s what you need to know:

• About the authorization:  FDA said the updated mRNA vaccines seek to “closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.”
  • The FDA emergency use authorization indicates those 5 and older can receive the updated shot if it has been two months since their last dose. There are additional considerations for children under 5 based on their vaccination status.
• Where it’s growing:  CDC modeling data indicates COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 25 states, declining or likely declining in 5 states, and are stable or uncertain in 17 states.
  • The virus is “likely growing” in Pennsylvania, per the federal model.
• A new campaign:  This week, HHS launched the “Risk Less. Do More.” campaign to increase awareness about the ways vaccines can reduce serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk populations and limit the spread of these viruses.
• Key concern:  The flu, COVID-19, and RSV can cause serious complications, particularly among those at high-risk. Last fall and winter, these infections caused 800,000 hospitalizations, federal health officials said.
• Quotable:  “Given waning immunity of the population from previous exposure to the virus and from prior vaccination, we strongly encourage those who are eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine to provide better protection against currently circulating variants,” Marks said.

HAP continues to highlight public health developments related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Additional information is available online.