The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that a variant called KP.3 is becoming dominant in the United States, accounting for 25% of COVID cases. This has prompted discussions among FDA advisers about updating the COVID-19 vaccines to target a new variant called JN.1.
The CDC uses a data tracker called Nowcast to project COVID variants over a two-week period, and while the rates for deaths and hospitalizations have decreased, the rates for positive tests and emergency room visits are on the rise. The CDC recently reported that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 30 states.
Health experts from vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have expressed readiness to develop vaccines that target the JN.1 variant, pending FDA approval. These updated vaccines are expected to be released in the fall to prepare for anticipated winter increases in COVID-19 cases.
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