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NewsFox 13 News (WTVT) — All NewsAugust 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
Read the full story at Fox 13 News (WTVT) — All News

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 spread of the virus.

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.
  • The FDA advisory committee voted 8-1 in May to select the XFG variant for the upcoming campaign.
  • The previous 2025-26 vaccine season targeted the LP.8.1 subvariant.
  • The XFG variant originated in Southeast Asia in January and reached the U.S. in the spring.

Who's Mentioned

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