On August 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people aged six months and older. These mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) have been updated to include a monovalent (single) composition that will target the KP.2 Omicron variant to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.  

For more details see FDA press release.  

Starting in September 2024 U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. For more information on the program please visit COVIDtests.gov. 

On June 27, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that everyone aged six months or older get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax) this fall and winter. This followed CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) discussion earlier in the day. 

Information about timing and number of doses for certain people (children, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised) will be updated on CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. 

The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines will target the Omicron KP.2 variant, based on FDA’s June 13 recommendation. This variant is expected to be one of the most common during this upcoming respiratory season.