Washington, July 1 (TIWN) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended vaccine manufacturers to develop booster shots against Covid-19 targeting Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

While currently available vaccines have helped reduce hospitalisation and death caused by Covid, results from several observational studies have shown that effectiveness of primary vaccination wanes over time against certain variants, including Omicron.

The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, currently driving the fresh wave of Covid cases globally, are known to evade vaccine induced immunity.

The FDA recommendation is based on the advice of independent experts on the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee that voted in favour of including a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron component in Covid-19 vaccines that would be used for boosters in the US beginning in September.