> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# FDA Moving to Annual Covid Strain Selection Like Flu
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-moving-to-annual-covid-strain-selection-like-flu/
- Published: 2023-01-23T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:12:46.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Biologics, #legacy-id-D5153594

FDA is proposing to move to a flu vaccine-type model to have its vaccines advisory committee annually select Covid-19 strains in June for immunizations beginning no later than September each year. The agency says that if a serious “pathogenic vaccine-escape variant” begins circulating then an ad-hoc strain selection advisory committee meeting would be held to determine whether to adjust the current Covid vaccine. An advisory committee meeting 1/26 will discuss the new strategy, in addition to whether it recommends using the same vaccine strain composition for the primary vaccination series and booster doses, and how to simplify Covid-19 immunization schedules.

“Given the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and associated changes in the epidemiology, susceptibility to reinfection, and waning of vaccine-induced immunity, barring development of a significantly improved vaccine, periodic future updates to the S protein sequence(s) contained or encoded in Covid-19 vaccines and revaccination will likely be needed to induce and maintain vaccine effectiveness (VE), respectively,” FDA says in a [briefing document](https://www.fda.gov/media/164699/download?ref=fdaweb.com) released in advance of the meeting.

Additionally, the agency says current data on prior exposure to and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 suggest that most people may only need to receive one vaccine dose annually to restore Covid-19 immunity protection. However, it says, two doses “may be needed to induce the expected protective immunity for those who have a low likelihood of prior exposure (the very young) or those who may not generate a protective immune response (older and immunocompromised individuals).”