Tag: Covid-19 vaccines 2025-26

The FDA VRBPAC  Meeting Today on Covid-19 Vaccines for 2025-26

The FDA VRBPAC meeting today on the Covid-19 vaccines for 2025-26 is so far leading me to believe that the best choice for the voting question-

Based on the evidence presented, please discuss considerations for the selection of JN.1 and/or a specific JN.1-lineage strain for COVID-19 vaccines (2025-2026 Formula) to be used in the U.S.

-might just be sticking with last year’s Covid-19 JN.1 lineage vaccine rather than targeting the newest LP.8.1 strain. The strains so far aren’t suggesting a seasonal pattern. Some strains only last for weeks and it seems getting or making a vaccine for a Covid-19 strain that disappears by the time the manufacturer rolls out a vaccine for it could turn out to be a waste of time.

Neverthe less, all three of the industry presenters are calling this a “seasonal” update to their Covid-19 vaccine products. They’re hedging their bets, so to speak, and would be ready to market a vaccine targeting LP.8.1 if the FDA decides to license the product.

I’ve held off getting the JN.1 vaccine so far in anticipation of today’s meeting, to see if there’s any reason not to get it based on today’s decision.

But the day is young. I’ll probably be making periodic updates to this post today. I think Dr. Jerry Weir’s slides are excellent, as usual.

“Voting Question
For the 2025-2026 Formula of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S., does the committee recommend a monovalent JN.1-lineage vaccine composition?
Please vote “Yes” or “No” or “Abstain”

“Discussion Topic
Based on the evidence presented, please discuss considerations for the selection of
JN.1 and/or a specific JN.1-lineage strain for COVID-19 vaccines (2025-2026 Formula) to be used in the U.S.”

Update: Of course, the committee voted unanimously for the JN.1 lineage because there was no alternate choice. The only choice for the members was to vote for the JN.1-lineage or against it. Although I agree with the “vote,” I think they should have had the alternate of LP.8.1 available, otherwise why have a vote at all? I wonder what the FDA will do now.