Pfizer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized on Wednesday an updated formula of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer and rival Moderna, which target today’s most common omicron strain.

Pfizer has submitted data on its bivalent COVID-19 booster shot that specifically targets the latest omicron subvariants. If authorized, the company says the shots could be ready as soon as September.

The drugmaker has the best-selling vaccine to prevent COVID and the most effective drug to treat it. Its success and might have overshadowed the government’s COVID-fighting strategy.

As the Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to the potential change.

Pfizer plans to submit new data to the Food and Drug Administration this week, bringing families with young children one step closer to a long-awaited vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advice opens a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids — just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.

Doctors have begun reporting cases of patients who see their symptoms return several days after treatment.

Data show that a third dose can help boost kids' immunity. Some experts are skeptical that another shot is needed for younger kids.

The federal “test-to-treat” program was designed to be a one-stop shop for people to get tested and receive treatment. But as cases rise again, many communities have no participating locations, and website bugs make it difficult to book an appointment at the biggest participant.

Health officials argue the protection of the COVID vaccine booster wanes over time and say some people need a second booster. But other infectious disease experts say three shots are enough for now.

The company warned consumers of several tainted lots of Accuretic and two other versions of the drug due to the presence of a nitrosamine above the Acceptable Daily Intake level.

Pfizer and BioNTech are planning to ask the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a second COVID-19 booster shot for people age 65 and older.