The newest COVID-19 vaccines updated for the 2024-2025 formula were authorized by the FDA in August 2024 and became available shortly after for distribution to clinics and pharmacies. These vaccines target the KP.2 strain of the JN.1 lineage, which is currently dominant. The vaccines include updated mRNA versions by Pfizer and Moderna and a protein-based Novavax version, with recommendations for use in individuals six months and older (six months and up for mRNA vaccines, and 12 and older for Novavax). This new vaccine is available starting in late summer 2024 and is widely recommended as a universal dose like the flu vaccine. Regarding availability in 2023 specifically, the COVID vaccines for the 2023-2024 season were replaced as their supplies expired; newer updated vaccines only started shipping after FDA approval in August 2024. So, no new COVID vaccine release occurred in 2023, but updated vaccines for the following seasons started becoming available in late 2024.
In summary, new COVID vaccines were not newly released in 2023 but in 2024 for the 2024-2025 season, replacing prior versions used in 2023. The latest versions have been available since late summer 2024.
