Biden to request more funding for updated COVID vaccine targeting omicron variant

President Biden plans to ask Congress for additional funding to develop a new COVID-19 vaccine containing the omicron XBB.1.5 strain.
Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are working on updated vaccines pending FDA approval and CDC recommendations.
The new funding request comes as COVID hospitalizations have risen about 12% in recent weeks but remain far below previous peaks.
The goal is for the updated vaccines to be available by fall for use as annual COVID boosters.
Biden recommends that everyone get the new omicron-targeting vaccine once it is approved and available.