Existing antibodies reportedly effective against new COVID-19 variant
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The CDC said Friday that antibodies produced by past COVID-19 infections or vaccinations appeared to be adequate in warding off the BA.2.86 variant, a new mutated strain of the virus that causes the disease, according to reports.
The CDC added that the BA.2.86 variant didnât appear to be driving up infection numbers. In August, the agency advised that BA.2.86, which is highly mutated, might be more capable of causing infection in people who had already been infected or vaccinated against the disease, according to a Reuters report.
Within the next few days, the FDA is expected to authorize update versions of COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE)/BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX). Both vaccines target the XBB.1.5 variant, which was prevalent earlier this year, along with other variants. 
Moderna said earlier this week that its updated vaccine was shown to generate a strong immune response against BA.2.86 in human studies. Pfizer said its updated shot also appeared to be effective against the BA.2.86 strain in rodent studies.
Novavax (NVAX) is also in the process of seeking authorization for an updated COVID-19 vaccine. 
More on COVID-19 vaccines:
FDA said to clear updated COVID shots as early as Friday
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CDC advisors to meet Sept. 12 to discuss new COVID shots (updated)