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Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized Amid Summer Surge
As COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the United States, federal regulators have approved updated vaccines in preparation for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization for new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which are designed to target the latest viral variants circulating in the population.
These mRNA vaccines are specifically aimed at the Omicron KP.2 variant, which had previously been a significant contributor to the spread of COVID-19 earlier this year. Although new variants, like KP.3.1.1, have emerged and begun to circulate in both the U.S. and Canada, they are similar enough to KP.2 that the new vaccines are expected to provide cross-protection against them.
“The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been reformulated to better align with the variants currently circulating, offering enhanced protection against severe outcomes associated with COVID-19, including hospitalizations and fatalities,” the FDA stated.
The updated vaccines have been approved for individuals aged six months and older, meeting stringent safety, efficacy, and manufacturing standards set by the FDA.
This approval follows a noticeable increase in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. during the summer months, leading experts to emphasize the continued relevance of vaccination efforts.
Current COVID-19 Landscape
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 levels in U.S. wastewater have been classified as “very high.” This adds weight to the urgency for vaccination as health officials anticipate continued viral transmission.
In Canada, Health Canada is currently reviewing submissions from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax regarding their updated COVID-19 vaccines. Spokesperson Nicholas Janveau highlighted that the vaccines will be authorized only if they meet comprehensive safety, quality, and efficacy standards following an independent scientific evaluation.
As of fall 2024, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is advocating for the newly updated vaccines to be administered to both previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who are at heightened risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes individuals aged 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant individuals, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and members of Indigenous communities.
Expert Insights on Vaccination
Allison McGeer, an infectious disease physician at Sinai Health in Toronto, emphasized the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19 during a recent interview, urging Canadians to prioritize vaccination. She expressed concern about the potential for a significant resurgence of COVID-19 in the autumn and winter months, underscoring the importance of receiving vaccinations as they become available in Canada.
“Given the patterns we’ve observed, we’re anticipating that there will be considerable COVID-19 activity in the upcoming months,” McGeer noted. “There is still a strong rationale for getting vaccinated to enhance your protection heading into the winter season.”
Source
globalnews.ca