Moderna says its new booster is better than original against Omicron
The updated vaccine formulation raises antibodies eightfold against the COVID-19 variant, according to preliminary data released by the company
Moderna says its new COVID-19 vaccine booster produces a better immune response against the Omicron variant than its original vaccine.
The booster raised virus-neutralising antibodies against Omicron by eightfold above baseline levels in a study of 800 people (who were seronegative at baseline), when given as a fourth dose, according to a company press release.
The vaccine was generally well-tolerated, with side effects comparable to a booster dose of the original Moderna vaccine at the 50 micrograms level, the company said in a statement.
Moderna said it planned to submit data on the vaccine, which targeted Omicron as well as the original coronavirus strain, to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming weeks.
