FDA approves new round of COVID-19 vaccines

By Brian Ward

On September 11, the FDA approved new COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech for patients 12 and older. In an emergency, the vaccines can be given to children ages 6 months to 11 years old. The vaccines target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5.

"Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death," said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a statement. "The public can be assured that these updated vaccines have met the agency's rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. We very much encourage those who are eligible to consider getting vaccinated."

The approval follows a spike in COVID-19 infections in recent weeks, according to the CDC.