PFIZER Australia and BioNTech this week announced that the TGA has authorised the companies' Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 in individuals five years and older.
Omicron XBB sublineages account for the majority of COVID-19 cases found globally.
Although Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccines provide some protection against a range of outcomes from XBB-related COVID-19, evidence suggests that vaccines better matched to currently circulating virus strains can help further improve protection against symptomatic and severe COVID-19, informed a statement.
"We welcome the TGA's decision and commend them for their careful assessment of the latest version of Comirnaty," said Dr Krishan Thiru, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand Medical Director.
"This decision reaffirms our commitment to bring a high-quality vaccine against this virus to Australians," he added.
"In 2022, COVID-19 was one of Australia's leading causes of death, right behind heart disease and dementia," Thiru explained.
"With today's decision, an updated vaccine will shortly become available that helps address multiple Omicron XBB-related sublineages, which currently account for the vast majority of COVID-19 cases uncovered globally."
While Prof Ugur Sahin, CEO and co-Founder of BioNTech commented, "as COVID-19 is expected to adopt a seasonal pattern, similar to other respiratory viruses, we remain committed to providing COVID-19 vaccines that are better matched to relevant circulating virus variants or sublineages to people worldwide".
"The new variant-adapted monovalent vaccine aims to further improve protection against severe illness and hospitalisation caused by Omicron XBB descendent sublineages that differ from prior Omicron strains." JG
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