Pfizer and BioNTech’s JN.1-adapted COVID-19 vaccine granted consent by Medsafe

Pfizer New Zealand and BioNTech announce Medsafe’s consent for JN.1-adapted COVID-19 vaccine and its availability from January 2025. The updated COVID-19 vaccine can be given to adults and children 6 months and older.

The JN.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY JN.1) is one of their variant-adapted COVID-19 vaccines for active immunisation to help prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.^1,2

The World Health Organization identified JN.1 as a variant of interest (VOI) due to its rapid spread.^3,4

“We welcome this consent in New Zealand and thank Medsafe for their careful assessment of the variant-adapted COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024/2025 season. This consent reaffirms our ongoing commitment to bring a vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 to New Zealanders,” said Dr Krishan Thiru, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand Medical Director.

“With this latest registration, an updated vaccine is now available to address JN.1-related sublineages which currently account for the vast majority of COVID-19 cases globally^3,4,” Dr Thiru said.

Registration of the JN.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is based on the full body of available non-clinical and real-world evidence supporting the efficacy and tolerability of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccines. The use of the JN.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.