The US Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted Wednesday to endorse an updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation for the 2026-27 respiratory season. The panel recommended a strain composition targeting the dominant circulating variant, clearing the way for a broad autumn rollout.

The decision aligns with immunisation campaigns already under way in the northern hemisphere, including the NHS autumn COVID and flu programme that opened in Britain on September 1. Pharmacy chains including CVS and Walgreens have prepared to offer the shots alongside seasonal flu vaccines.

Manufacturers Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax submitted data on their reformulated products to the committee, according to briefing documents posted by the FDA. The advisers weighed evidence on antibody responses and manufacturing timelines before their vote.

The recommendation intensifies debate over eligibility, after federal health officials narrowed access to older adults and high-risk groups. Physician organisations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have pressed for broader availability for children and healthy adults.

The FDA said the agency would issue formal guidance to manufacturers and pharmacies in the coming days, with vaccines expected on shelves within weeks.