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NewsFOX 13 Tampa BayAugust 28, 2026Hillsborough

FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting XFG 'Stratus' variant

The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech for the 2026-27 immunization season. These new doses are specifically formulated to target the XFG 'Stratus' variant, which currently accounts for approximately 79% of U.S. COVID-19 cases.

public healthvaccinesCOVID-19FDAmedical regulation
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Why It Matters

Residents will have access to updated vaccines designed to combat the dominant XFG variant during the 2026-27 season, which health officials recommend as a tool to mitigate the ongoing summer and fall rise in cases.

Key Facts

  • The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-27 season from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi, and Pfizer-BioNTech.
  • The new vaccines are specifically designed to target the XFG variant, also known as 'Stratus'.
  • The XFG variant accounted for an estimated 79% of U.S. COVID-19 cases for the week ending September 6.
  • Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines utilize mRNA technology.
  • The Novavax-Sanofi vaccine is protein-based.
  • An FDA advisory committee recommended the selection of the XFG variant in May, with an 8-1 vote.
  • The previous 2025-26 vaccine season targeted the LP.8.1 subvariant of the JN.1 strain.
  • The CDC reports that current variant data is limited due to low sequencing submissions.

Who's Mentioned

organizationModerna“Manufacturer of mNEXSPIKE and Spikevax vaccines.”organizationCenters for Disease Control and Prevention“Provided data on variant prevalence.”personDr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk“Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Un”organizationNovavax-Sanofi“Manufacturer of protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.”organizationFood and Drug Administration“Regulatory body that approved the vaccines.”organizationPfizer-BioNTech“Manufacturer of Comirnaty vaccine.”