The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new formulations of COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. These updated vaccines are specifically tailored to target the KP.2 strain, a descendant of the JN.1 variant, which is responsible for nearly 70% of current U.S. cases. 

The approval comes at a crucial time, coinciding with a rise in COVID infections across more than two dozen states, just as the respiratory-virus season is approaching. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of August 13, COVID infections are estimated to be growing or likely growing in 25 states, while declining or likely declining in only five states, with the remaining 17 states showing stable or uncertain trends. 

These estimates are based on the time-varying reproductive number, Rt, which measures transmission rates using data from COVID-19 emergency department visits. An Rt value above 1 suggests that the epidemic is expanding in those areas, signaling the need for continued monitoring and preventive measures.

Key reasons for the COVID vaccine update

Rising cases: With COVID-19 infections increasing, the new vaccines offer a timely tool to curb the spread of the virus, especially in vulnerable populations.

Updated protection: As immunity wanes from previous infections and earlier vaccinations, these new formulations provide an updated defense against the most prevalent strains.

Annual assessment: The FDA anticipates that COVID vaccines may need yearly updates, similar to seasonal flu vaccines, to maintain effectiveness against emerging variants.

Public health advisory: The FDA and CDC strongly encourage eligible individuals, including those ages 6 months and older, to receive these new vaccines to boost community immunity and reduce the potential impact of COVID-19 this fall and winter.