FDA approves updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID boosters

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved the latest Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 boosters, and Moderna's updated vaccine should reportedly be available in the "coming days."

The new vaccines target the KP.2 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused a surge in COVID cases across the country this summer. The vaccines were approved for people 12 years 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,” Peter Marks, FDA director of the center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

The federal agency also approved an emergency use authorization for three doses of the updated Pfizer vaccine, or two doses of the Moderna vaccine, for unvaccinated children between the ages of six months and four years.

Children in the same age bracket who have been vaccinated can receive one or two doses of the updated vaccine under the emergency use authorization.

Other children between the ages of five and eleven can get one booster shot of the updated vaccine regardless of vaccination status. However, they are encouraged to wait two months between shots.

“COVID-19 remains a significant health risk and is the leading cause of respiratory illness-related hospitalization, regardless of age or health condition," Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told The Hill. "Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine remains one of the best ways for people to be protected and prevent severe illness,” 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.