Aug 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

said on Thursday it has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines made

by Pfizer ( PFE ) and Moderna ( MRNA ) targeting newer variants

of the disease in time for a fall vaccination campaign.

The health regulator approved the shots to target the "KP.2"

variant, which dominated infections in recent months. The agency

had asked manufacturers in June to target the strain, if

feasible.

The updated vaccines are designed to more closely target

currently circulating variants and provide better protection

against serious consequences of COVID-19, including

hospitalization and death, the FDA said.

"Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19

prevention," said Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for

Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Pfizer ( PFE ) and Moderna ( MRNA ) said they expect the shots to be

available across the United States in the coming days.

The FDA granted emergency use authorization for Moderna's ( MRNA )

shot, branded as Spikevax, and Comirnaty, which is jointly

developed by Pfizer ( PFE ) and BioNTech, in individuals six

months through 11 years of age.

Vaccines based on messenger RNA from Moderna ( MRNA ) and

Pfizer ( PFE )/BioNTech can be developed more quickly.

The FDA did not approve a more traditional protein-based

shot made by Novavax ( NVAX ).

Novavax ( NVAX ) said on Thursday it was working with the FDA and

expects to have authorization in time for peak vaccination

season.

The FDA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

comment.