Update on COVID-19 Vaccine for the fall

Thanks to Ed M.

  The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met yesterday, June 15th, to discuss and make recommendations on the selection of strain(s) to be included in the periodic updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2023-2024 vaccination campaign. The discussion included consideration of a monovalent vaccine targeting XBB-lineage for fall to winter, 2023-2024.

In an Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) statement to members yesterday, it was said that the Committee voted unanimously ‘yes’ to recommend “an update of current vaccine composition to a monovalent XBB-lineage” for the 2023-2024 formula of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S.

AIM goes on to say that “the Committee heard from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax on their updated COVID-19 vaccine products. Overall, manufacturer data suggested that while efficacy remains strong after 6 months since bivalent booster, efficacy wanes over time. An additional dose of XBB-adapted vaccines offers improved responses against circulating strains, with higher responses with monovalent than bivalent vaccines. All three manufacturers are prepared to have vaccine available in fall 2023. Manufacturing of XBB.1.5 sub lineage vaccines may be complete as soon as July, but FDA clarified that an updated COVID-19 vaccine rollout would likely not occur until the fall. Because of the robust data presented and that speed of manufacturing, the Committee felt that the XBB.1.5 sub lineage (versus other sub lineages) should be selected for the fall 2023 vaccine.”  

Slides and a recording of the live advisory committee session are available at the link below:

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee June 15, 2023 Meeting Announcement – 06/15/2023 | FDA Next, ACIP will be discussing COVID-19 vaccines on June 23rd (ACIP agenda). There are no votes, but the Committee will be discussing vaccine effectiveness and infection-induced/hybrid immunity.