KP.2

KP.2 refers to a specific subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, part of the Omicron JN.1 lineage, which serves as the primary antigenic target for the 2024–2025 updated COVID-19 vaccines. Characterized by specific mutations in the spike protein—notably F456L and R346T, part of the "FLiRT" mutation set—KP.2 demonstrated significant immune evasion and became a dominant circulating strain in early 2024. Following recommendations from the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) in June 2024, manufacturers including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna updated their monovalent mRNA vaccine formulations to specifically target the KP.2 strain. These vaccines are designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies against the KP.2 spike protein, providing improved protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death compared to previous XBB.1.5-targeted formulations.

Other names

KP.2-adapted COVID-19 vaccinemonovalent KP.2 vaccineSARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variantSARS-CoV2 KP.2 variantSARS-CoV 2 KP.2 variantOmicron KP.2