FDA approves new COVID-19 shots

The Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday for people at higher risk, clearing the way for manufacturers to begin shipping them to pharmacies and physicians’ offices.

The agency greenlit new formulations of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the companies said. FDA also approved a non-mRNA shot from Sanofi, which was originally licensed to Novavax, according to the company.

The updated shots are meant to better target the currently circulating strains of the virus. The companies said their shots will be available in the coming days.

Coronavirus infections are increasing or likely to be growing in 47 states, according to Aug. 19 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the overall spread of the virus remains low.

Despite the approvals, questions remain about access and affordability to the shots.

Normally, a CDC advisory panel would make recommendations on who is eligible for the vaccine. But a federal court invalidated the appointments of all new members by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., putting the panel in legal limbo.

Insurers typically have to cover most vaccines recommended by the panel. In its absence, there is no such requirement.

Similar to last season, the vaccines were approved for people 65 years and older, as well as younger people with at least one underlying health condition.

The Moderna shot is approved for ages 6 months and older; the Pfizer shot for ages 5 years and older; and the Sanofi shot for ages 12 years and older.