FDA Approves Three New COVID Vaccines

Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer all have new formulations based on the currently dominant strain.

Aug. 31, 2026

Key Highlights

The FDA approved updated COVID vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech targeting the JN.1 XFG subvariant.
Vaccines are authorized for adults 65+ and individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, cancer, and obesity.
Most health insurers, including AHIP members, will cover the full cost of these vaccines through 2027.
The vaccines are designed to prevent severe disease caused by the current dominant COVID strain.
This development enhances protection for vulnerable populations against the evolving COVID threat.

The FDA has approved updated COVID vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech. CIDRAP has the news.

All three vaccines are designed to prevent severe disease caused by the JN.1 lineage XFG subvariant, which is currently the dominant strain of COVID circulating. The vaccines are approved for adults 65 and older and younger people with one or more chronic conditions that increase their risk for severe disease. Conditions included under this umbrella include asthma, cancer, chronic lung or kidney disease, mental illness, obesity, pregnancy, and smoking.

AHIP, which is an organization that includes most health insurers, said that its members will cover the total cost of vaccines recommended by a CDC committee at least through the end of 2027.