A panel of health experts convened this week to decide which COVID-19 vaccine the U.S. should use this fall. The federal advisory group concluded on Wednesday that the new vaccine should focus on the JN.1 lineage, which has been prominent among virus strains.

Advisory Committee Meeting

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), composed of leading U.S. health experts, gathered virtually to recommend a new vaccine to bolster protection against COVID-19. 

The effectiveness of current vaccines declines over time, and vaccines that target the XBB.1.5 variant don’t provide enough defense against the JN.1 lineage and its sub-variants.

After hours of discussion, the 16-member panel unanimously voted to target the JN.1 lineage for the new vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to use these recommendations to develop vaccines for the upcoming year.

World Health Organization’s Assessment

This recommendation aligns with a recent assessment by the World Health Organization, which suggested that vaccines should use a “monovalent JN.1 lineage” to ensure better protection.

Why JN.1?

Sub-Variants and Evolution

The panelists considered several JN.1 sub-variants, including KP.2 and KP.3, which are very similar to JN.1 and have been driving new cases. Officials noted that COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, and the goal was to anticipate the virus’s changes ahead of expected upticks in cases later this year.

Vaccine Manufacturers’ Readiness

Vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax each assured the panel that they were prepared to make JN.1-targeted vaccines available by August, pending FDA approval.

Context and Background

Recent Trends

In late 2023, JN.1 overtook the XBB lineage that was the basis for last year’s vaccines. However, officials emphasized that XBB-caused infections are not any more severe than JN.1 infections.

This contrasts with the significant jump in severity seen when the delta variant gave way to the omicron variant in 2021.

Effectiveness of Previous Vaccines

Last year’s vaccine, designed for XBB.1.5, provided increased protection against COVID-19. However, it was less effective against the JN.1 lineage compared to other XBB lineage sub-variants.

Expected Vaccine Rollout

Timing

The updated vaccines are set to be released in the fall in anticipation of winter upticks in COVID-19 cases. This decision comes as vaccination rates against COVID-19 decline both in the U.S. and globally.

CDC Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that adults aged 65 and older, as well as immunocompromised individuals, receive a booster of the updated COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available. 

The panel did not specify whether older people would need boosters this time, but the timing coincides with the anticipated end of the CDC’s free vaccine program in August.

Broader Implications

Strain Selection Strategy

Strain selection for annual vaccines is not solely based on the current dominant strain but on what is anticipated to be dominant when the updated shots are deployed. 

While the XBB subvariant lineage was chosen last year, the EG.5 and JN.1 subvariants rose to prominence afterward.

Expert Opinions

VRBPAC member Sarah Meyer acknowledged the difficulty in predicting the virus’s future evolution but agreed with the decision to focus on JN.1, stating, “If we had to choose, that seems to be an appropriate option.”

Manufacturer Confidence

Moderna representatives expressed confidence that a JN.1 or KP.2-targeted vaccine would protect against a range of JN.1 sub-variants currently circulating.

The unanimous decision by the FDA panel to target the JN.1 lineage for the new COVID-19 vaccine reflects a strategic effort to stay ahead of the virus’s evolution.

With vaccine manufacturers ready to produce and distribute the updated vaccines by August, the focus now shifts to preparing for the rollout and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary boosters. 

As the world continues to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19, staying adaptable and responsive to the latest developments remains crucial in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.

The information is taken from ABC News and Yahoo News