New York (Web Desk): Pfizer-BioNTech has asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize an updated version of its Covid booster designed to target the BA.5 omicron subvariant.
The drugmaker’s release was sparse on new details about the efficacy of the booster, but the company said studies in animals found that the vaccine generated an immune response against multiple versions of omicron, including BA.4 and BA.5. It is planning to start clinical trials in people this month, the statement said.
The request, covering people ages 12 and up, will now be considered by the FDA, which will review the data and is expected to grant emergency use authorization for the age group sometime in September.
If authorized, the company said it is prepared to immediately begin distribution of the shots.
