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FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines for higher-risk individuals

Newly approved formulations from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Sanofi target current virus variants, but questions surround insurance coverage.

Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 00:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The FDA approved updated COVID-19 shots from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Sanofi designed to combat currently circulating virus strains.
  • The approvals apply to adults 65 and older and younger individuals with underlying health conditions.
  • Manufacturers expect the new formulations to become available at pharmacies and doctors' offices within days.
  • Insurance coverage for the shots is uncertain following a federal court ruling that invalidated appointments to the CDC advisory panel that typically issues coverage-triggering recommendations.

Key facts

  • The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Sanofi on Thursday.[The Hill]
  • The updated formulations are targeted at individuals age 65 and older, as well as younger people with at least one underlying health condition.[The Hill]
  • Moderna's vaccine is approved for people ages 6 months and older, Pfizer's for ages 5 years and older, and Sanofi's non-mRNA shot for ages 12 years and older.[The Hill]
  • CDC data from Aug. 19 indicated coronavirus infections were growing or likely growing in 47 states, though overall transmission remained low.[The Hill]

What remains uncertain

  • It is unclear how insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs will be handled after a federal court invalidated member appointments to the CDC advisory panel that normally mandates insurer coverage.[The Hill]

Sources