US approves updated COVID vaccines for fall

(Patria) - The United States on Monday approved COVID vaccines with formulations more closely targeted at currently circulating variants, as infections rise again.

The new approvals apply to updated vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer that
correspond to the Omicron sub-lineage. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that the benefit of vaccination outweighs the risk for individuals over six months of age, AFP reported.

Both companies released statements saying they expect their vaccines to be widely available in pharmacies and clinics in the coming days.

A panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet on Tuesday to
offer clinical recommendations on who should receive the updated vaccines.

However, President Joe Biden's administration has consistently advocated for a COVID booster dose for most Americans, and the CDC is expected to offer similar guidance.

Although the World Health Organization and the United States lifted their public health emergency declarations in May, Americans should still be able to receive the new vaccines for free through private insurance and government-subsidized programs.