Novavax has said that the FDA is committed to rapidly authorizing updated COVID-19 COVID Vaccine and hopes to have them before the peak vaccination season.
Why Are Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Rolling Out Now?
Faster Rollout Process
Since last winter, health authorities have been working on accelerating the rollout of this year’s COVID-19 vaccines. Which had not started until late September last year. CDC officials said last year’s rollout faced several challenges. Including confusing messaging and difficulties getting access to the shots — all of which likely contributed to lower vaccination rates.
Concurrent Administration of Flu Vaccines
This year, COVID-19 vaccines are expected to become available around the same time as flu shots thanks to a CDC vote in June recommending the shots be administered over the summer and an earlier FDA selection of the strain for the vaccine. This timing aligns more closely with when healthcare providers are used to updating and distributing seasonal flu shots.
CDC Recommendations for Vaccination Timing
According to CDC pointers, most humans must acquire a flu shot in September or October. These may be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccinations. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis from the CDC said co-management is acceptable practice whenever feasible.
Challenges with Timing
Public health officials acknowledge that this year’s vaccine may come too late for some infected Americans during a delta-filled summer wave. Timing it before an oncoming surge is challenging, said Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles from the CDC, so we are focusing on coordinating it with respiratory virus season instead.
Why Do The Shots Target The KP.2 Variant?
Decision To Target KP.2 Variant
Moderna’s and Pfizer’s updated COVID-19 vaccines target KP.2, which descends from the JN.1 strain behind part of last winter’s surge. This differs from the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommendation to target the JN.1 variant.
FDA’s Rationale for Targeting KP.2
While the FDA’s advisers recommended JN.1, this variant has declined as a share of infections as another strain, KP.3.1.1, rapidly grew amid the summer wave. Still, the agency chose to focus on KP.2 because of the recent rise in cases caused by it.
Similarity Among Variants
Scientists have said these variants are relatively similar to previous changes to the virus; they are very similar. According to CDC’s Dr Natalie Thornburg, different names are more of a nomenclature issue than a reflection of significant differences between circulating strains.
