JUN LI A panel of advisors to the U.S. FDA has unanimously agreed that the next round of COVID-19 shots should be a monovalent one of the JN.
1 lineage. According to CDC data , as of May 25, that lineage accounted for 8.4% of COVID cases nationwide.
This strain was responsible for a majority of COVID cases experienced over last winter and is considered highly contagious. However, the new shots are expected to also provide protection against the so-called "FLiRT" variants that are subvariants of JN.1 and begin with the letters JN or KP.
JN.1 and the FLiRT variants are responsible for more than 90% of COVID cases now occurring across the U.S.
The currently available vaccine targets the XBB.1.5 strain, which is not even being reported in CDC data.
In presentations to the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, Pfizer ( NYSE: PFE ), BioNTech ( NASDAQ: BNTX ), Moderna ( NASDAQ: MRNA ), and Novavax ( NASDAQ: NVAX ) all said they would be prepared with the updated shots in time for a fall immunization drive. Novavax said its vaccine would be ready, pending authorization, in September . Novavax ( NVAX ) closed Wednesday up ~18% while Moderna ( MRNA ) gained ~6.
5% . More on vaccine makers Pfizer: The Chart Looks Like A Bottom, But Is The Dividend Safe? COVID vaccine makers ready updated shots for fall immunization drive Pfizer data for breast cancer therapy sends Olema higher Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) Moderna Oncology Investor Event (Transcript) Moderna, Inc.
(MRNA) Ber.
