Key facts
- The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech.
- The approved vaccines will target the XFG variant, a subvariant of the JN.1 lineage.
- Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty XFG vaccine is approved for adults 65+ and individuals 5-64 with underlying conditions.
- Moderna's Spikevax is approved for individuals 6 months-64 years with underlying conditions and adults 65+.
- Moderna's mNEXSPIKE is approved for individuals 12-64 years with underlying conditions and adults 65+.
- Updated vaccines are shipping nationwide for the 2026-27 immunization season.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech for the upcoming 2026-27 immunization season. The advisory panel had previously recommended targeting the XFG variant, a subvariant of the JN.1 lineage, which is now incorporated into the new vaccine formulations.
Pfizer and BioNTech's mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty XFG, has been approved for adults aged 65 and older, as well as individuals aged 5 through 64 with underlying health conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Moderna's Spikevax vaccine is approved for individuals aged 6 months through 64 years with at least one underlying condition, and all adults 65 and older. Moderna's latest vaccine, mNEXSPIKE, is approved for individuals aged 12 through 64 years with underlying conditions and all adults 65 and older.
These updated vaccines are designed to provide protection against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains. Shipping of the updated vaccines has begun nationwide, with doses expected to be available in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics within days. For the previous 2025-26 season, the FDA had recommended targeting the LP.8.1 subvariant of the JN.1 strain.