As of Thursday, August 22, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made the announcement that it has given its approval for the improved COVID-19 vaccines that Pfizer and Moderna have developed for the upcoming season. Since the decision has been made, it is now possible to start distribution of the most recent version of the shots sooner this year than it was with the previous year. Officials in charge of public health recommend getting vaccinated against the coronavirus on an annual basis, much like they do against the flu. According to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a new vaccination should be administered to all individuals aged six months and older.
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, stated Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Novavax, which employs a more conventional approach to vaccine production but has encountered financial issues, has not yet received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an updated vaccine.
The KP.2 variant is the target of the shots; why is that?
New vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer are directed at the KP.2 variety, which is derived from the JN.1 strain that was responsible for a portion of the outbreak of infections that occurred during the winter of 2017. In general, the risk of contracting Covid is lower than it was previously in the pandemic. This is due to the fact that our systems have grown accustomed to warding off the virus, and almost everyone has developed some level of immunity to the virus as a result of getting sick or obtaining vaccinations. The purpose of a fresh shot is to strengthen the defenses that are already in place.
Unlike other countries, the US recommends the latest coronavirus vaccine for everyone, with the exception of young infants. This is in contrast to other nations, which only prescribe the vaccine for people who are at a higher risk for severe disease due to factors such as being 65 years old or older, having moderate to severe immunocompromised status, or having major medical disorders. Instead of recommending a second dose for everyone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) often recommends it for individuals who are at the greatest risk.
