US FDA Approves New Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Targeting Omicron Variant

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on the 31st (local time) that it has approved new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna targeting the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The FDA stated that Pfizer's vaccine is authorized for individuals aged 12 and older, while Moderna's vaccine is limited to adults aged 18 and older.

This is the first approval of an Omicron variant vaccine since the variant began spreading globally in November last year, marking nine months since then. Until now, existing vaccines developed for the original COVID-19 prevention have been used despite the spread of the Omicron variant.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to discuss priority vaccination groups, including high-risk individuals, on the 1st of next month.