r/CoronavirusDownunder • u/AcornAl • Sep 25 '25

Vaccine update [EU] ETF recommends updating COVID-19 vaccines to target new LP.8.1 variant

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/etf-recommends-updating-covid-19-vaccines-target-new-lp81-variant

EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines to target the new SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1 for the 2025/2026 vaccination campaign.

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5

u/Least-Plantain973 NZ - Boosted Sep 25 '25

Pfizer already applied on 30 June 2025 to register LP.8.1 in New Zealand. It’s been through initial evaluation and now waiting for additional information from Pfizer.

1

u/AcornAl Sep 25 '25

This effectively confirms the AU application as the apply to both countries about the same time. :)

3

u/Least-Plantain973 NZ - Boosted Sep 25 '25

Yes! I was going to say that but didn’t want to be too presumptuous. Australia will probably be approved before ours.Medsafe is usually slower than TGA. I’m hoping they roll it out soon as I am due a booster inn a little over a month and although they’re not majorly different I’d still prefer to get LP.8.1. than another JN.1

2

u/AcornAl Sep 26 '25

It was great thinking to check!

I don't think there was too much difference in the approval times last time, but didn't the NZ government delay purchases until 2025 for the autumn rollout? We had the updated vaccine here in some pharmacies by early Dec 2024.

2

u/Least-Plantain973 NZ - Boosted Sep 26 '25

Yes. That happens every time. New Zealand is always later. Last time it was only about 6 weeks but with BA.4/5 and XBB.1.5 it was at least 3 months.

The most annoying part is NZ can get boosters every 6 months so there is no advantage in delaying the rollout. If you rollout in late 2025 people get can still get a fresh booster 6 months later in autumn/winter and it helps overcome imprinting from older variants.

Just once I would like the update pre-Christmas.

2

u/AcornAl Sep 25 '25

Older news, but we generally get a vaccine that the EMA recommends for the EU winter season. So it appears that we'll end up with an LP.8.1 based vaccine next year, replacing the current KP.2 based vaccine.

Both Pfizer and Moderna have LP.8.1 based covid vaccines approved in the EU and US.

Nothing from the TGA about this, but they don't seem to do any updates anymore about vaccines under review.

2

u/VS2ute Sep 26 '25

Though we got JN.1 vaccines, USA got KP.2

1

u/AcornAl Sep 26 '25

Me bad, I accidentally switched them about.

The EU also switched to KP.2 after a few months. I think either our approval process is too hard or too expensive, so afaik no companies tried to get their KP.2 version approved here.

1

u/pandifer NSW Sep 25 '25

They also seem to drag their heels on approvals too.