FDA panel says Covid vaccines can stay the same for fall amid access concerns

[progree]

7. "Ultimately, the committee unanimously voted to stick with ... the same strains used in current shots"

Ultimately, the committee unanimously voted to stick with vaccines targeting JN.1 or its lineages — the same strains used in the current shots. (Novavax’s shot targets JN.1; Pfizer’s and Moderna’s shots target KP.2, a descendant of JN.1.)

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Quick Google search:
https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/what-covid-19-variants-are-going-around

What COVID-19 variants are going around in May 2025?, Nebraska Medicine

Currently, the dominant variant nationwide is LP.8.1, with 70% of cases, followed by XFC, with 9% of cases, and XEC, with 6% of cases. "The original omicron variant is gone now," says Dr. Rupp. "Currently subvariants of omicron are circulating, including MC.1.10.1, LB.1.3.1, and LF.7."

A bar graphic has a listing of the most common 19 or so strains. The two "JN" ones on this listing -- JN1.16 and JN.1 -- are "NA" and listed below the 0% ones. The only KP ones on the list are KP3.1.1 at 1% and KP3 at 0%

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It looks like the panel approved placebo shots. If that's all that's available this fall, I'm going to skip it (I'm over 70).

Couldn't they also separately recommend ones targetting more current strains for seniors and other at-risk groups?