Britain Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech's Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Britain's health regulator has approved Pfizer and BioNTech's updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting the JN.1 subvariant for infants, children, and adults. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reviewed the vaccine's safety, quality, and effectiveness, promising to keep its safety under close review.

Britain's health regulator announced on Wednesday that it has authorized Pfizer and BioNTech's newly updated COVID-19 vaccine, designed to target the JN.1 subvariant. This approval extends to infants, children, and adults.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that they have approved four variations of the adapted Comirnaty JN.1 vaccine after thoroughly reviewing its safety, quality, and effectiveness. The MHRA emphasized that they would continue to monitor the vaccine's safety rigorously.

Internationally, regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization are advocating for COVID-19 vaccines to be updated to target the JN.1 variant. Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has suggested that, if possible, manufacturers should target the KP.2 variant.

(With inputs from agencies.)