Biotechnology company Moderna has announced positive preliminary results for a modified version of its Omicron variant vaccine.
A booster dose of 50 micrograms resulted in “a greater response of antibodies against the Omicron variant, one month after administration, compared to the original vaccine,” Moderna said in a statement.
The new formula, called mRNA-1273.214, is a “divalent” vaccine, targeting both the original form of the virus – such as the vaccine that has been administered worldwide to date – and the Omicron variant.
With this booster dose, anti-Omicron antibodies multiplied by 8 relative to the starting level, according to the company.
“With mRNA-1273.214 we provide extended protection against variants that are a source of concern, which makes it a key candidate for a booster dose in the fall of 2022,” said Stefan Bancell, CEO of Moderna. “We will submit the preliminary data and the analyzes to the regulatory authorities, in the hope that the bivalent vaccine that will include Omicron will be available by the end of the summer,” he clarified.
The side effects of this booster dose are comparable to those of the original vaccine and were well tolerated by the 437 test participants, the company said, adding that it will re-examine the immune response 91 days after administration.
All vaccines available so far are based on the original strain of the virus and are proving less and less effective against the variants that have appeared.
The US FDA will set up a committee at the end of June to study an updated version of the vaccine, in anticipation of a major booster campaign in the fall. Experts will consider whether the strain of the virus used to develop current vaccines should be modified, and if so, which strains should be selected for fall 2022.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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