FDA Advisory Panel Votes to Target XFG Variant in 2026-2027 COVID Vaccines

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted almost unanimously (8 of 9 members in favor, one abstention) to recommend that COVID-19 vaccines for the U.S. 2026-2027 season target the JN.1-lineage XFG variant. The FDA subsequently advised manufacturers to update their monovalent vaccines accordingly ahead of a fall 2026 rollout. The XFG recommendation diverges from WHO's TAG-CO-VAC selection of LP.8.1 issued on May 16, though both bodies consider XFG and NB.1.8.1 acceptable alternative antigens.