The new formula is a “divalent” vaccine, targeting both the original form of the virus and the Omicron variant.
The biotechnology company Moderna announced positive preliminary results for the modified version of its vaccine against the Omicron variant.
A booster dose of 50 micrograms resulted in “greater antibody response against the Homicron variant “, one month after its administration, in relation to the initial vaccine”, it is mentioned in its announcement Moderna.
The new formula, called mRNA-1273.214, is one “Divalent” vaccinewhich targets 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, the antibodies against Omicron multiplied by 8 in relation 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 booster in autumn 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 in a statement. immune response 91 days after administration.
All the vaccines that have been released so far are based on the original strain of the virus and are proving to be less and less effective against the variants that have appeared.
The American FDA will set up at the end of June a committee that will study one updated version of the vaccine, in view of a large campaign to deliver booster doses 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.
