American biotech company Moderna has announced that a new COVID-19 booster vaccine designed to target the Beta variant of the Corona virus and the original of the Corona virus provides greater immunity against some virus variants, including Omicron.
In a statement made by Moderna today, it was noted that the results were positive in terms of the company’s future vaccine plans for the two COVID-19 variants.
Moderna expert Dr. Jacqueline Miller noted that the company has no plans to apply for licensing of the bivalent vaccine, including the Beta variant, anytime soon. Instead, Moderna said it will submit the data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct fundamental studies of a future bivalent vaccine to target the Omicron variant.
The company noted that the bivalent vaccine containing the Beta variant contained higher antibody titers against the Omicron variant at the first and sixth months after vaccination compared to the original vaccine.
It has been reported that it is particularly encouraging that the bivalent vaccine also provides higher antibody response against variants not included in the vaccine.
A 50 microgram bivalent booster vaccine, which Moderna calls mRNA 1273,211, was tested on 300 people.
On the other hand, Moderna has started testing a different bivalent vaccine that combines the original vaccine with the vaccine specific to the Omicron variant.
The company is also testing a monovalent vaccine targeting only the Omicron variant.
Dr. “We had to start manufacturing at risk to be ready for fall. Based on the data we evaluated, we believe the bivalent vaccine is the best method to provide longer and more durable protection,” said Jacqueline Miller.