CDC’s universal recommendation for XBB COVID vaccines means that Novavax’s protein-based vaccine can enter the market immediately upon FDA authorization, but some final questions from the agency are keeping the review going.

FDA approval was swiftly followed by CDC advisory committee recommendation of the XBB.1.5. variant-based vaccines for all people aged 6 months and older.

As FDA clears new COVID vaccines, the Regeneron deal is a reminder of the politics of drug pricing. Sen. Sanders touts the agreement, which attaches product price caps to funding for clinical development, and he allows the confirmation effort for the NIH director nominee to proceed.

Pfizer said it also had preclinical data showing that the updated version of its vaccine has activity against the subvariant, which may be able to break through immunity