The FDA has declared the monovalent Pfizer and Modena mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are no “longer authorized for use in the United States,” prompting speculation on why the sudden change now.
In a press release released on Tuesday, the FDA says it is now pushing doses of bivalent vaccines only, which have two strains of the virus compared to the monovalent vaccine with just one strain.
“Most individuals, depending on age, previously vaccinated with a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine who have not yet received a dose of a bivalent vaccine may receive a single dose of a bivalent vaccine,” the agency stated. “Most individuals who have already received a single dose of the bivalent vaccine are not currently eligible for another dose.”
“The FDA intends to make decisions about future vaccination after receiving recommendations on the fall strain composition at an FDA advisory committee in June.”
The FDA’s decision sparked sharp reactions on Twitter, with James O’Keefe even calling for FDA whistleblowers to come forward to reveal why the agency made the change.