New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! 

New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Getty Images
New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Getty Images

United States: Drug manufacturers have created updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccines to protect against currently circulating variants, and the shots—which have shown to be more effective than the now-available vaccines—are expected to be available as soon as this month. 

Vaccine Approval and Recommendations 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed the new COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 fall and winter respiratory virus season, advising the populace to receive these vaccines upon availability. Historical data indicates a surge in COVID-19 cases during fall and winter, coinciding with flu and respiratory syncytial virus seasons. Consequently, the updated vaccines are expected to be ready in advance to mitigate this anticipated increase in cases, as reported by Forbes.  

Targeted Variants and Manufacturing Adjustments 

Initially, the FDA recommended that the vaccines target the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus. However, subsequent evaluations of updated case data led the agency to advise manufacturers to focus on the KP.2 strain within the JN lineage. Both Moderna and Pfizer have affirmed their readiness to produce vaccines targeting the KP.2 variant following the FDA’s revised guidance. Conversely, Novavax has commenced manufacturing a JN.1 vaccine but indicated it will not have a KP.2-specific shot prepared in time for the upcoming season. 

New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Shutterstock
New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Shutterstock

Vaccine Availability Timelines 

During a June meeting with the FDA, each vaccine manufacturer provided different timelines for when their respective vaccines would be ready. Pfizer indicated that its vaccine could be available immediately upon approval, potentially as early as this month. Moderna projected its vaccine’s availability by August, while Novavax set a deadline of September 1, as per Forbes. 

Eligibility for Vaccination 

All individuals aged six months or above must receive the updated vaccine against the infections, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination must be done irrespective of their vaccination status. The vaccine of any of the manufacturing – Moderna or Pfizer is available for the administration for those who are six months or older. Besides this, Novavax’s shot can be given to people aged 12 years or more.  

Vaccine Cost and Coverage 

Unlike in previous years, the updated vaccines will not be free. Although the exact pricing is yet to be disclosed, the shots will be covered for individuals with Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans, as per the CDC. The CDC’s Bridge Access Program, which previously offered free COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured adults, was scheduled to end in December but will now terminate in August due to funding shortages. However, the Biden administration is exploring options to secure permanent funding to continue offering a similar program for uninsured adults. The Vaccines for Children Program will continue to provide free vaccines to children whose parents lack coverage. 

New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Getty Images
New COVID-19 Vaccines to Fight Latest Variants: Coming This Month! Credit | Getty Images

Efficacy of the Updated Vaccines 

The current vaccines, initially designed to combat the XBB.1.5 variant, have proven effective against the JN lineage. However, the updated vaccines from all three manufacturers have shown even greater protection. Moderna’s KP.2 vaccine demonstrated up to eight times more efficacy in protecting mice against JN variants compared to its XBB.1.5 vaccine. Pfizer’s KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine elicited up to a 7.3-times stronger response in mice against KP.2 and other JN variants relative to its existing XBB vaccine, according to Forbes.   

Novavax reported that mice administered an XBB.1.5 vaccine followed by the JN.1 shot after 11 months exhibited up to 48 times more efficacy against the JN lineage than the initial XBB.1.5 shot. 

Some Background 

The KP.2 and JN.1 variants are offshoots of the omicron variant of COVID-19. KP.2 was the most prevalent variant in the US during May, June, and most of July. However, as of August 3, it ranks as the fifth most common variant, with three of its descendants occupying the top spots. JN.1 was the predominant variant in spring but now constitutes less than 1% of cases. Given that KP.2 and its derivatives are descendants of JN.1 with only minor mutations, a JN.1-specific vaccine should provide some level of protection against these variants, as per the European Medicines Agency