FDA Approves Four Updated COVID Shots Targeting XFG Variant

The FDA has officially approved four updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-2027 season, designed to combat the XFG variant that was the most prevalent strain during last year's COVID-19 season. The vaccines, developed by Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech, and Novavax, Sanofi, and Takeda, have received the green light from health authorities.

Moderna's mRNA vaccine, known as Spikevax, is now available for individuals aged 65 and above, as well as those aged 6 months to 64 with underlying conditions that heighten their risk of severe COVID-19. A second Moderna mRNA vaccine, mNexspike, targets the same variant and is approved for the same age groups but with a broader application. This version is recommended for those aged 65 and older, as well as individuals aged 12 to 64 with underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.

Pfizer and BioNTech's mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty, is also approved for the upcoming season. This shot is recommended for individuals aged 65 and older, and those aged 5 to 64 who have at least one underlying condition that raises their risk of severe COVID-19. Similarly, Novavax and Sanofi's protein-based non-mRNA vaccine, Nuvaxovid, has earned FDA approval for the same age groups.

Moderna's updated vaccines are expected to hit the market in the coming days, while Pfizer and BioNTech will begin shipping their vaccines immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to issue its official recommendations on seasonal COVID-19 shots for the 2026-2027 season. However, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians have already provided guidance on fall respiratory virus shots, including COVID vaccines.

Despite the CDC's absence of a definitive stance this year, several professional medical organizations strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk individuals. The American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics are set to unveil their updated 2026-2027 COVID vaccination recommendations in September.