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Drugmaker Moderna has offered an update on their pending COVID-19 booster shot.
The company revealed Monday that its half-dose booster will likely offer protection against the Omicron coronavirus strain. Lab tests showed that the shot, which is a regular Moderna COVID-19 shot reduced to 50 micrograms, increased neutralizing antibodies in participants 37 times. In the non-peer-reviewed study, blood was tested from participants who received the vaccine booster against an engineered virus meant to mimic COVID-19.
"The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is concerning to all," said CEO Stéphane Bancel. "However, these data showing that the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster can boost neutralizing antibody levels 37-fold higher than pre-boost levels are reassuring."
Bancel is not the only representative from Moderna expressing hope that their new booster could be effective against the Omicron variant. Chief medical officer Dr. Paul Burton told Reuters that the booster is "extremely safe" in preliminary tests.
"I think it will protect people through the coming holiday period and through these winter months when we're going to see the most severe pressure of Omicron," he said.
It is not just the 50 microgram booster that is allegedly showing promising results. A 100 microgram booster currently being tested drove antibody levels more than 80 times. However, Moderna president Stephen Hoge said that there are no plans to pursue the 100 microgram booster for approval.
Moderna's booster became available to the public in November. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 26.7 million fully vaccinated people received the Moderna booster shot. This number is included in the nearly 60 million fully vaccinated people that have gotten a booster shot.
Pfizer's testing likewise found its COVID-19 vaccine triggered a similarly big jump in Omicron-fighting antibodies. The vaccines made by Pfizer and by Moderna, both made with mRNA technology, are used by many countries around the world to fight the coronavirus.
Together, the available evidence backs health authorities' increasing pleas for people to get their boosters as soon as they're eligible.
Antibody levels predict how well a vaccine may prevent infection with the coronavirus but they are just one layer of the immune system's defenses. Other research suggests the vaccine still should induce good protection against severe disease if people do experience a breakthrough infection.
Both Moderna and Pfizer are developing shots to better match the Omicron variant in case they're needed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
