FDA approves Pfizer and BioNTech’s XFG-adapted COVID-19 vaccine for 2026–2027 season

The updated Comirnaty formulation targets the XFG variant and will begin shipping immediately for eligible older adults and people aged five to 64 at increased risk of severe COVID-19.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s XFG-adapted Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for the 2026–2027 season in adults aged 65 and older and people aged five to 64 with at least one underlying condition that increases their risk of severe COVID-19.

The updated mRNA vaccine targets the XFG variant in line with FDA guidance and is expected to become available through US pharmacies, hospitals and clinics within days.

Field	Content
Alert Type	Vaccine Approval
Product Name	Comirnaty XFG (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)
Indication	Prevention of COVID-19 in adults aged 65 years and older, and individuals aged 5–64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes
Therapy Area(s)	Infectious disease; Vaccines; COVID-19
Geography	United States (FDA)
What Happened	On 27 August 2026, the FDA approved the supplemental Biologics License Application for Pfizer and BioNTech’s 2026–2027 XFG-adapted Comirnaty vaccine. The monovalent formulation targets the XFG variant and replaces the previous season’s LP.8.1-adapted formulation. Pfizer and BioNTech said shipments would begin immediately, with the vaccine expected in pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the US within days. (Pfizer)
Why It Matters	COVID-19 vaccines are periodically adapted as the virus evolves. The FDA selected XFG as its preferred vaccine composition for the 2026–2027 US season, meaning this approval aligns Comirnaty more closely with contemporary circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants ahead of the autumn respiratory-virus season. (Pfizer)
Supporting Context	The approval draws on the cumulative clinical, non-clinical and real-world evidence supporting Comirnaty, together with manufacturing, quality and non-clinical data for the updated formulation. Pfizer and BioNTech reported that the XFG-adapted vaccine generated strong immune responses against circulating variants including XFG, XFG.1.1, NB.1.8.1, PQ.17 and PQ.2.8.1. More than five billion doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed globally. (Pfizer)
Key Takeaway	FDA approval establishes Pfizer and BioNTech’s XFG-adapted Comirnaty as their US COVID-19 vaccine for the 2026–2027 season, with eligibility focused on people aged 65 and over and younger individuals at increased risk of severe disease.
What to Watch	The immediate rollout of the XFG-adapted vaccine, US vaccination recommendations and coverage for the 2026–2027 season, and whether future SARS-CoV-2 evolution requires another change in vaccine composition. The same XFG-adapted formulation received European Commission marketing authorisation in July 2026, although the EU authorisation covers individuals from six months of age. (Pfizer)
Primary Source	Pfizer and BioNTech
Relevant Date	27 August 2026

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