FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting XFG variant
The US regulator cleared updated shots from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax-Sanofi for older adults and certain higher-risk younger people, while insurance coverage questions remain.
In short
- The US regulator cleared updated shots from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax-Sanofi for older adults and certain higher-risk younger people, while insurance coverage questions remain.
The US Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the XFG variant on Thursday, August 27, 2026, clearing manufacturers to begin shipping doses for the 2026–27 immunisation season.
The approvals cover updated vaccines made by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax-Sanofi. They apply to people aged 65 and older and to younger people with underlying conditions that raise their risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19. The minimum age for eligible higher-risk patients differs by product: six months for Moderna, five years for Pfizer-BioNTech and 12 years for Novavax-Sanofi.
The decision follows an advisory panel recommendation that the season’s vaccines target XFG, which is the dominant variant. US monitoring showed COVID-19 activity remained low but had risen in recent weeks, according to data cited in the source report.
Access and payment rules are less settled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends individual decision-making on COVID-19 vaccination, and it was unclear whether the agency would issue updated guidance for the coming season. Because insurers commonly rely on CDC advisory recommendations when determining required coverage, some patients may face uncertainty over whether the new shots will be covered.
