Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Omicron Vaccine

Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech said on Monday they had completed a submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine adapted to target the omicron variant.

The request was for a so-called bivalent vaccine that contains the dominant BA.4/BA.5 variants of the virus, along with the original coronavirus strain.

The FDA in June asked COVID-19 vaccine makers to tailor shots to target the two subvariants.

The U.S. government has since signed a deal with both Moderna and Pfizer for delivery of omicron-adapted vaccines, pending clearance.