The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new COVID-19 vaccine designed to provide year-long protection against multiple variants. The vaccine, developed by Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, uses an updated formulation targeting the most prevalent circulating strains.
"This represents a significant advancement in our ability to protect Americans with a single annual vaccination," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. "Annual vaccination has proven effective for influenza, and we believe the same approach can work for COVID-19."
Clinical trials demonstrated that the updated vaccine provided 78 percent protection against symptomatic infection and 92 percent protection against severe disease over a 12-month period. The most common side effects were mild and included pain at the injection site and temporary fatigue.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet next month to finalize recommendations for the new vaccine. The shots are expected to be available through pharmacies and healthcare providers beginning in September.
The approval comes as public health officials emphasize the importance of maintaining protection against COVID-19, which continues to cause significant illness and death, particularly among elderly and immunocompromised populations.