The FDA is set to meet with vaccine experts Tuesday to discuss a new generation of COVID-19 vaccines formulated by Pfizer and Moderna, built to combat the omicron variant.
The meeting will cover a new set of reformulated vaccines which work to target omicron more directly. Pfizer and Moderna have both developed omicron-specific vaccines.
Pfizer is proposing two different kinds of vaccines, one that targets omicron only, and one that adds protection against omicron to the original vaccine formula, according to a news release.
Pfizer’s omicron-specific vaccine displayed a greater immune response against omicron than the combination shot.
IU pediatrician Aaron Carroll said he thinks these vaccines will be prioritized for elderly and middle-aged people. “I don’t know that they’re going to produce enough doses, or the government is going to spend enough money that everyone who wants such a vaccine is going to be able to get one free of charge,” Carroll said.
The future of COVID vaccines could look more like flu shots now, according to Carroll. He said that scientists predict what strains will be most prevalent each year for the flu and develop the vaccine accordingly.
Pfizer said it will collect information on the vaccines’ effectiveness on omicron B.A.4 and B.A.5 strains in the coming weeks.
