FDA backs two bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for younger kids

The US Food and Drug Administration yesterday said it has amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for two COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent to authorize their use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. These target the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages of the Omicron variant.

The bivalent vaccines in question are those developed by Moderna (Nasdaq: MRNA), namely mRNA-1273.222, and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and BioNTech’s (Nasdaq: BNTX) Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.

The Moderna product is authorized for administration at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination in children down to six years of age. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized for administration at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination in children down to five years of age.