Europe Approves Pfizer/BioNTech's Adapted COVID-19 Vaccine For Upcoming Autumn Vaccination Campaigns

The European Commission has approved Comirnaty XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, developed by BioNTech SE BNTX-Pfizer Inc PFE. 

It is the third adaptation of this vaccine to respond to new COVID-19 variants.

The vaccine is authorized for adults, children, and infants above six months. In line with previous recommendations by EMA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), adults and children from 5 years of age who require vaccination should have a single dose, irrespective of their COVID-19 vaccination history.

Related: BioNTech's Ready-to-Use Single Dose Vaccine, the Perfect Counterattack to China's Rising XBB1.5 Cases.

In line with the ECDC-EMA statement on updating COVID-19 vaccine composition for new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, BioNTech-Pfizer has adapted its COVID-19 vaccine to target the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain XBB.1.5. 

The adapted vaccine is also expected to increase the breadth of immunity against current dominant and emerging variants.

The amendment to the contract with BioNTech-Pfizer signed in May 2023 ensures that Member States have access to vaccines adapted to new COVID-19 variants in the upcoming years.

Price Action: PFE shares are up 0.90% at $35.71, and BNTX stock is up 1.13% at $122.30 on the last check Friday.