US approves updated Pfizer, Moderna shots targeting Omicron / Photo: Joseph Prezioso - AFP/File
-
Guinness maker Diageo picks new CEO after US tariffs cloud
-
China suspends 'special port fees' on US vessels
-
US senators take major step toward ending record shutdown
-
Typhoon Fung-wong leaves flooded Philippine towns in its wake
-
From Club Med to Beverly Hills: Assinie, the Ivorian Riviera
-
The 'ordinary' Arnie? Glen Powell reboots 'The Running Man'
-
Typhoon exposes centuries-old shipwreck off Vietnam port
-
French court to decide if ex-president Sarkozy can leave jail
-
China lifts sanctions on US units of South Korea ship giant Hanwha
-
Japan death row inmate's sister still fighting, even after release
-
Taylor sparks Colts to Berlin win as Pats streak hits seven
-
Dreyer, Pellegrino lift San Diego to 4-0 MLS Cup playoff win over Portland
-
Indonesia names late dictator Suharto a national hero
-
Fourth New Zealand-West Indies T20 washed out
-
Tanzania Maasai fear VW 'greenwashing' carbon credit scheme
-
Chinese businesswoman faces jail after huge UK crypto seizure
-
Markets boosted by hopes for deal to end US shutdown
-
Amazon poised to host toughest climate talks in years
-
Ex-jihadist Syrian president due at White House for landmark talks
-
Saudi belly dancers break taboos behind closed doors
-
The AI revolution has a power problem
-
Big lips and botox: In Trump's world, fashion and makeup get political
-
NBA champion Thunder rally to down Grizzlies
-
US senators reach deal that could end record shutdown
-
Weakening Typhoon Fung-wong exits Philippines after displacing 1.4 million
-
Lenny Wilkens, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach, dies
-
Empire Metals Limited - Speaking at TZMI Congress
-
Sir Dave Lewis Appointed Diageo plc CEO
-
Griffin wins PGA Mexico title for third victory of the year
-
NFL makes successful return to Berlin, 35 years on
-
Lewandowski hat-trick helps Barca punish Real Madrid slip
-
George warns England against being overawed by the All Blacks
-
Lewandowski treble helps Barca beat Celta, cut gap on Real Madrid
-
Neves late show sends PSG top of Ligue 1, Strasbourg down Lille
-
Inter go top of Serie A after Napoli slip-up
-
Bezos's Blue Origin postpones rocket launch over weather
-
Hamilton upbeat despite 'nightmare' at Ferrari
-
Taylor sparks Colts to Berlin win, Pats win streak hits seven
-
Alcaraz and Zverev make winning starts at ATP Finals
-
Protests suspend opening of Nigeria heritage museum
-
Undav brace sends Stuttgart fourth, Frankfurt win late in Bundesliga
-
Roma capitalise on Napoli slip-up to claim Serie A lead
-
Liverpool up for the fight despite Man City masterclass, says Van Dijk
-
Two MLB pitchers indicted on manipulating bets on pitches
-
Wales rugby captain Morgan set to be sidelined by shoulder injury
-
After storming Sao Paulo podium, 'proud' Verstappen aims to keep fighting
-
US flights could 'slow to a trickle' as shutdown bites: transport secretary
-
Celtic close on stumbling Scottish leaders Hearts
-
BBC chief resigns after row over Trump documentary
-
Norris extends title lead in Sao Paulo, Verstappen third from pit-lane
NYSE - LSE
US approves updated Pfizer, Moderna shots targeting Omicron
US health officials on Wednesday authorized updated Covid-19 vaccinations by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the latest strains of the Omicron variant, with the goal of jump-starting a new booster campaign.
The two updated booster shots aimed at providing "better protection against Covid-19 caused by the Omicron variant" are approved for people age 12 and above for the Pfizer shot and 18 and older for Moderna, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement.
This new generation of anti-Covid vaccines targets both the original strain of coronavirus and the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages, the subvariants of Omicron that are causing the most cases in the United States and which the FDA predicts will circulate in the coming months.
Earlier this summer the US health department announced it had purchased 105 million doses from Pfizer and 66 million from Moderna for use over the fall and winter.
The vaccines have yet to be recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation's health protection agency. But an independent panel of experts is scheduled to be convened by the CDC on Thursday to discuss the updates.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky will be in charge of giving the final green light.
The new versions of the vaccines could potentially be available in the United States as early as next week.
"Receiving a booster that specifically targets the Omicron BA.4/.5 variant, currently the most prevalent strain of SARS-CoV-2, is an important public health measure that people can take to help protect themselves, especially as we head into a season filled with indoor gatherings," Moderna chief executive Stephane Bancel said in a statement.
The vaccines currently in circulation target the initial strain of the virus that first appeared in Wuhan, China. But they have gradually proven to be less effective against the variants that have appeared over time, due to rapid evolution of the virus.
In contrast to the Alpha and Delta variants, which eventually waned, Omicron and its subvariants have come to dominate infections worldwide in 2022.
Pfizer and Moderna have also filed for approval of their updated vaccines with the European Medicines Agency.
T.Ward--AMWN
