Moderna Says Omicron Tailored COVID-19 Shots Shows Better Immune Response Than Original Vaccine

Moderna Inc MRNA said that data shows its omicron-tailored vaccines, mRNA-1273.214 and mRNA-1273.222, produced a higher antibody response against BA.4/5 subvariants than its original shot in vaccinated and boosted adults.
Moderna, however, said that in an exploratory analysis of approximately 40 participants, both bivalent vaccines demonstrated robust neutralizing activity against BQ.1.1, despite an approximately 5-fold drop in titers compared to BA.4/BA.5.
Related: Moderna Shares Deep Dive After Lower COVID-19 Vaccine Sales Weigh On Q3 Sales, Profits.
The vaccines did show neutralizing titers against BQ.1.1, an emerging threat globally.
The safety and tolerability of mRNA-1273.214 and mRNA-1273.222 were similar to a booster dose of mRNA-1273, and adverse events were generally lower than the second dose of the primary series.
Also see: Moderna's Omicron-Adapted Booster Maintains Response Through Three Months.
Based on data from preclinical studies, omicron-tailored shots made by Moderna have already been approved in the U.S. for adults and children as young as six years.
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