Skip to main content

Moderna testing 2 booster shots to protect against Omicron variant, expects data soon

US-based pharmaceutical giant Moderna is studying two booster shot options designed to anticipate mutations similar to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, which has been designated as a variant of concern by the WHO.

It is already working to test the ability of the current vaccine dose to neutralise the Omicron variant and data is expected in the coming weeks.

“Moderna is already studying two multi-valent booster candidates in the clinic that were designed to anticipate mutations such as those that have emerged in the Omicron variant,” the company said in a statement.

The first candidate (mRNA-1273.211) includes several mutations present in the Omicron variant that were also present in the Beta variant of concern1. Moderna said it has completed dosing in a potentially pivotal safety and immunogenicity study of mRNA-1273.211 at the 50 µg (N=300) and 100 µg (N=584) dose levels.

ALSO READ | PM Modi chairs key meet on Covid-19, vaccination status amid concerns over Omicron variant

A second multi-valent candidate (mRNA-1273.213) includes many of the mutations present in the Omicron variant that were also present in the Beta and Delta variants2. The company has completed dosing at the 100 µg (N=584) dose level and also plans to explore the 50 µg dose level in approximately 584 participants.

Moderna said it will “rapidly advance” an Omicron-specific booster shot, much like its Beta- and Delta-specific boosters.

“A booster dose of an authorised vaccine represents the only currently available strategy for boosting waning immunity,” the company said.

The new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529, dubbed Omicron, was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on November 24, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

ALSO READ | WHO names new Covid variant Omicron; South Africa says travel bans unjustified | Top points

Global authorities have reacted with alarm to the new variant, with the United States, UK and the EU among those tightening border controls as scientists sought to find out if the mutation was vaccine-resistant.

Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect more data on the Omicron strain to determine whether its Covid-19 vaccine would have to be reworked. Johnson and Johnson also said it is closely monitoring emerging strains of coronavirus and is testing the effectiveness of its shot against the new variant.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Brahmastra beats The Kashmir Files in Brahmastra collection director Vivek Agnihotri Reacts

‘Brahmastra’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt is doing well at the box office. The film has surpassed Vivek Agnihotri’s superhit film ‘The Kashmir Files’ in the worldwide gross collection. The film has so far collected a gross collection of 360 crores all over the world. ‘The Kashmir Files’ had a collection of Rs 340 crore all over the world. Vivek Agnihotri gave a strong reactionAfter this news came to the fore, the reaction of ‘The Kashmir Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri has come to the fore. He has shared screenshots of several reports on Twitter, in which it has been told that ‘Brahmastra’ has become the biggest film of the year 2022, beating the film ‘The Kashmir Files’. Along with these screenshots, Vivek wrote, ‘Hahaha…I don’t know how they beat ‘The Kashmir Files’ with stick, hockey or AK 47 or stone… or paid PR and influencers? Let Bollywood films compete with each other. Leave us alone I am not in the race for this stupidity. Thanks.’ ‘The Kashmir Files’ was ta

Inside Photos of Bigg Boss’s new house leaked, know the names of the contestants from

Bigg Boss 16, the biggest controversial show in the world of small screen has not even started but its discussions are happening everywhere. The fans of every season of Bigg Boss wait with all their heart. At the same time, along with the show, people are also waiting for Salman Khan when he comes on the weekends and organizes classes for the family members. Every year new faces are seen in the show. There is a lot of buzz among the audience to see them. At the same time, almost all the preparations for Bigg Boss 16 have been completed. The set work of the show has also been completed. The makers are doing a lot of pre-production work with their entire team. Salman Khan is going to start on TV in October. Meanwhile, some pictures of the sets of the show have been leaked. Which are becoming increasingly viral on social media. However, no confirmation has been received so far that these pictures are true. But if it happens that after seeing the pictures, it can be guessed that the theme

Sonali Phogat’s last song ‘Chhori ka naam’ created a stir, worked 1 year on this dream project – sonali phogat last song chhori ka naam song became superhit on youtube

The new and last song of TV reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ ex-contestant and former BJP leader from Haryana, Tik-Tok star Sonali Phogat has been released. After Sonali’s death, her last song ‘Chhori Ka Naam’ has been released recently, which is a tribute to Sonali Phogat. The song has garnered over 1.2 million views since its release. Sonali Phogat’s last song, which was her dream project, has a tribute to her at the beginning of the video of this last song of Sonali Phogat. It is said that this song was his dream project, for which he worked for more than a year. It has been said, ‘Sonali Phogat is not with us today. We have some memories of him, some songs. Never thought that this would prove to be his last song. This last song of everyone’s beloved, outspoken, popular Sonali ji is a tribute to her. The Ace family of Hukum prays for his spiritual peace. Sonali’s Dabangai is seen in ‘Chhori Ka Naam Chalai Haryana Mein’ Sonali Phogat of ‘Chhori Ka Naam Chalai Haryana Mein’ looks exac