EMA Joins FDA in Recommending XFG Variant for 2026-2027 COVID Vaccines

The European Medicines Agency's Emergency Task Force (ETF) recommended that COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-2027 season target the XFG variant, aligning with the U.S. FDA's VRBPAC vote the previous day. XFG, part of the JN.1 Omicron lineage, has been the globally dominant sequenced variant since mid-2025, though EMA noted BA.3.2 ('Cicada') is now rising in proportion. EMA said targeting XFG should provide the best cross-protection against circulating JN.1-descendant lineages, including BA.3.2.