FDA asks COVID vaccine makers to target KP.2 strain, if feasible, for next shot

The U.S. health regulator has changed its strain recommendation for the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines, as it asked manufacturers to update the new shots to target the KP.2 variant, if feasible, instead of the JN.1 lineage it sought to target earlier.

The Food and Drug Administration's change in recommendation, in an update dated Thursday, comes even as Moderna (MRNA.O) and Novavax (NVAX.O) — makers of two of the three COVID vaccines — submitted their applications to the agency for updating the fall 2024 season shots with the JN.1 strain.

Novavax had said its manufacturing is underway for a JN.1 vaccine and it cannot have a shot this fall for another strain.

The company applied for authorization on Friday and said its shot showed broad cross-neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants, including KP.2 and KP.3. It said it can be ready with its JN.1 shot by mid-July.

Novavax was not immediately available for comment on the FDA's preference for a KP.2 shot.