FDA panel recommends updating covid shots to target XFG strain
An FDA advisory panel has recommended updating Covid vaccines to target the XFG variant, known as 'stratus.' This variant accounts for over half of new infections in the U.S. and has mutations that may help it evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.
- ▪The recommendation aims to help vaccine manufacturers prepare for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
- ▪XFG is a hybrid of two omicron variants and is currently the dominant strain in the U.S.
- ▪The committee's recommendation is not final and will be reviewed by the FDA for approval.
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Health newsFDA panel recommends updating Covid shots to target XFG strainXFG, nicknamed “stratus,” carries mutations that could help it partially dodge Covid antibodies.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00As of May 8, XFG and its descendants account for more than half of new infections in the U.S.Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 28, 2026, 3:35 PM EDTBy Berkeley Lovelace Jr.A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday recommended updating this fall’s Covid shots to target the XFG variant, a fast-growing strain nicknamed “stratus.”Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The recommendation — from the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products…
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