US approves updated Pfizer, Moderna shots targeting Omicron / Photo: Joseph Prezioso - AFP/File
-
BMW reports rising profitability, shares jump
-
US Supreme Court debates legality of Trump's tariffs
-
Bolivia Supreme Court orders release of jailed ex-president Jeanine Anez
-
Wall Street stocks rise after positive jobs data
-
'Hostage diplomacy': longstanding Iran tactic presenting dilemma for West
-
Rybakina stays perfect at WTA Finals with win over alternate Alexandrova
-
Le Garrec welcomes Dupont help in training for Springboks showdown
-
Brussels wants high-speed rail linking EU capitals by 2040
-
Swiss business chiefs met Trump on tariffs: Bern
-
At least 9 dead after cargo plane crashes near Louisville airport
-
France moves to suspend Shein website as first store opens in Paris
-
Spain's exiled king recounts history, scandals in wistful memoir
-
Wall Street stocks steady after positive jobs data
-
Trump blasts Democrats as government shutdown becomes longest ever
-
Indian pilgrims find 'warm welcome' in Pakistan despite tensions
-
Inter and AC Milan complete purchase of San Siro
-
Swedish authorities inspect worksite conditions at steel startup Stegra
-
Keys withdraws from WTA Finals with illness
-
Prince Harry says proud to be British despite new life in US
-
BMW boosts profitability, welcomes Nexperia signals
-
EU strikes last-ditch deal on climate targets as COP30 looms
-
Stocks retreat as tech bubble fears grow
-
Shein opens first permanent store amid heavy police presence
-
West Indies edge New Zealand despite Santner brilliance
-
French pair released by Iran await return home
-
German factory orders up but outlook still muted
-
Death toll tops 100 as Philippines digs out after typhoon
-
Attack on key city in Sudan's Kordofan region kills 40: UN
-
'No one could stop it': Sudanese describe mass rapes while fleeing El-Fasher
-
Champagne and cheers across New York as Mamdani soars to victory
-
Medieval tower collapse adds to Italy's workplace toll
-
BMW boosts profitability despite China, tariff woes
-
South Africa's Wiese wary of 'hurt' France before re-match
-
Asian markets sink as tech bubble fears grow
-
Beyond limits: Croatian freediver's breathtaking record
-
Tottenham supporting Udogie after alleged gun threat in London
-
Thunder roll Clippers to stay unbeaten as SGA keeps streak alive
-
In appeal, Australian mushroom murderer alleges 'miscarriage of justice'
-
Toyota hikes profit forecasts 'despite US tariffs'
-
Typhoon death toll soars past 90 in the Philippines
-
Ex-France lock Willemse challenges Meafou to become 'the bully'
-
Ukrainians to honour sporting dead by building country they 'died for': minister
-
At least 7 dead after UPS cargo plane crashes near Louisville airport
-
US Supreme Court hears challenge to Trump tariff powers
-
US government shutdown becomes longest in history
-
India's Modi readies bellwether poll in poorest state
-
Green goals versus growth needs: India's climate scorecard
-
Where things stand on China-US trade after Trump and Xi talk
-
Sri Lanka targets big fish in anti-corruption push
-
NY elects leftist mayor on big election night for Democrats
NYSE - LSE
US approves updated Pfizer, Moderna shots targeting Omicron
US health officials on Wednesday authorized updated Covid-19 vaccinations by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the latest strains of the Omicron variant, with the goal of jump-starting a new booster campaign.
The two updated booster shots aimed at providing "better protection against Covid-19 caused by the Omicron variant" are approved for people age 12 and above for the Pfizer shot and 18 and older for Moderna, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement.
This new generation of anti-Covid vaccines targets both the original strain of coronavirus and the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages, the subvariants of Omicron that are causing the most cases in the United States and which the FDA predicts will circulate in the coming months.
Earlier this summer the US health department announced it had purchased 105 million doses from Pfizer and 66 million from Moderna for use over the fall and winter.
The vaccines have yet to be recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation's health protection agency. But an independent panel of experts is scheduled to be convened by the CDC on Thursday to discuss the updates.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky will be in charge of giving the final green light.
The new versions of the vaccines could potentially be available in the United States as early as next week.
"Receiving a booster that specifically targets the Omicron BA.4/.5 variant, currently the most prevalent strain of SARS-CoV-2, is an important public health measure that people can take to help protect themselves, especially as we head into a season filled with indoor gatherings," Moderna chief executive Stephane Bancel said in a statement.
The vaccines currently in circulation target the initial strain of the virus that first appeared in Wuhan, China. But they have gradually proven to be less effective against the variants that have appeared over time, due to rapid evolution of the virus.
In contrast to the Alpha and Delta variants, which eventually waned, Omicron and its subvariants have come to dominate infections worldwide in 2022.
Pfizer and Moderna have also filed for approval of their updated vaccines with the European Medicines Agency.
K.Hassan--SF-PST
