Moderna and Pfizer booster shots updated to target Omicron coronavirus subvariants could be available in early fall, pending signoff by federal health agencies, the US Department of Health and Human Services said on Friday.
The US Food and Drug Administration advised vaccine makers in June to update the boosters to add an Omicron BA.4/5 component and create a bivalent booster.
"Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that they anticipate the modified vaccines being available as early as September," an FDA spokesperson said.
HHS announced Friday an agreement to purchase 66 million doses of Moderna's bivalent booster shot for potential use in fall and winter. That's in addition to 105 million bivalent boosters the US government has purchased from Pfizer.
The FDA spokesperson said that agency "has been working closely with vaccine manufacturers over the past several months to ensure that modified COVID-19 vaccines are available this fall to meet evolving public health needs, following FDA's review for safety and effectiveness. The agency will work expeditiously to review submissions to make COVID-19 vaccines available."
Updated shots would need to be authorized by the FDA and recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pfizer and Moderna have not responded to requests for comment.