The American biotechnology company Moderna has announced that it may launch a vaccine specifically targeting the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in August.
In an interview with Reuters, Moderna’s CEO, Stephane Bancel, stated that the company could have a booster vaccine ready in August, before the onset of Fall, which is considered a sensitive time for vulnerable individuals due to Covid-19. Currently, Moderna is collecting data to compare the effectiveness of the booster vaccine with the third dose of the existing vaccine.
Illustrative image of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. (Photo: AFP/TTXVN).
According to the CEO of Moderna, administering a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is necessary. The company is currently considering whether to provide the existing vaccine or a specific vaccine for the booster shot. The final decision will be made in the coming months when the company has clinical trial data.
Last month, Moderna began clinical trials for a booster vaccine specifically designed to combat the Omicron variant. However, preliminary results from trials on monkeys suggest that the protective efficacy of this vaccine may not be higher than that of the third dose of the company’s currently circulating vaccine.
On January 31, Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in individuals aged 18 and older. Previously, this vaccine had received emergency use authorization from the FDA in December 2020. Currently, Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is authorized for use in over 70 countries.
In addition to the Covid-19 vaccine, Moderna is also utilizing mRNA technology to develop treatments for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and rare genetic disorders.
