In a recent announcement, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the upcoming round of COVID-19 vaccines will specifically target a newer strain of the coronavirus. This decision follows the support shown by an external panel of advisers to the agency, who recommended altering the vaccine recipe. Vaccine manufacturers have been instructed to provide protection against a particular variant known as XBB.1.5, which belongs to the omicron strain.
The current vaccines offer defense against the original coronavirus and an earlier version of the omicron variant. Although they still provide some level of protection against severe illness and death, the effectiveness gradually diminishes over time. Moreover, the vaccines have shown limited efficacy against milder infections even before the virus evolved further.
In response to this development, the three major U.S. vaccine producers have prepared to adapt their formulas to target the XBB.1.5 strain. They aim to produce millions of doses in preparation for the upcoming autumn season. Pfizer, one of the companies, has stated that it may have some doses available as early as next month.
Ultimately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will make the final decision regarding the recommendation of the new COVID-19 vaccine. They will determine whether it should be recommended for nearly all Americans or only for specific high-risk groups.
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