ETF recommends updating COVID-19 vaccines to target new LP.8.1 variant
Updated vaccines will help maintain protection against disease as virus continues to evolve
NewsHumanCOVID-19Vaccines
EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines to target the new SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1 for the 2025/2026 vaccination campaign.
LP.8.1 differs from the JN.1 family targeted by previous updated vaccines and has now surpassed the JN.1 variant to become the most widely circulating variant worldwide.
In making its recommendation, the ETF consulted with the World Health Organization (WHO), international partners and marketing authorisation holders for COVID-19 vaccines. The ETF also considered a wide range of data, including data on the evolution of the virus and data from animal studies on the effects of candidate vaccines targeting LP.8.1.
The evidence indicates that targeting LP.8.1 will help maintain the effectiveness of the vaccines as SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. Vaccines targeting JN.1 or KP.2 strains could still be considered for the vaccination campaigns in 2025 until updated LP.8.1 vaccines become available.
Marketing authorisation holders should now contact EMA to discuss updates to the marketing authorisations of their vaccines. All marketing authorisation holders are expected to update the composition of their authorised vaccines in accordance with this recommendation.
Companies currently developing new COVID-19 vaccines targeting strains other than LP.8.1 are also encouraged to contact EMA to discuss strategies for changing the composition of their vaccines.
National authorities in the European Union (EU) will ultimately make decisions about vaccination campaigns for 2025 and 2026, taking into account the situation in their country.