FDA Approves Newly-Updated COVID Vaccines

The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter. From AP News:

The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine, much like getting a yearly flu shot.

There’s still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations Tuesday on who most needs the updated shots. Vaccinations could begin later this week, and both the COVID-19 and flu shots can be given at the same visit.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have been on the rise since late summer. However, thanks to remaining immunity from prior vaccinations and infections, not nearly as much as this time last year. Related: COVID Vaccines Averted 3.2 Million Deaths In US https://twitter.com/AP/status/1701302191376498888