EMA panel backs approval of Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech's Omicron-targeting booster vaccines
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A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of Omicron-targeting COVID-19 booster vaccines from Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX).
The EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended authorizing Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1 and Moderna's Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 for use in people aged 12 years and above who have received at least primary vaccination against COVID-19.

Studies showed that the vaccines triggered strong immune responses against Omicron BA.1 and the original SARS-CoV-2 strain in previously vaccinated people. In particular, the vaccines were more effective at triggering immune responses against the BA.1 subvariant than the original vaccines, CHMP said in a Sept. 1 press release.
The European Commission, which generally follows the opinion of the CHMP, will now decide on the vaccines' approval.
A day ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Omicron-targeting vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.
Moderna's Omicron-containing bivalent vaccine has already received clearance in the U.K., Switzerland and Australia.