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Moderna‘s latest Covid vaccine has shown promising results in combating the highly mutated omicron variant called BA.2.86, based on clinical trial data released by the biotech company on Wednesday. Health officials are closely monitoring this variant, and Moderna’s vaccine has demonstrated a strong immune response against it.
According to the data, Moderna’s updated vaccine has produced a significant 8.7-fold increase in protective antibodies against BA.2.86. This variant has been detected in small numbers across the country. Previous research indicated that BA.2.86, also known as “Pirola,” has the potential to evade antibodies from previous infections and vaccinations. However, new studies suggest that it may be less immune-evasive than initially feared.
Moderna is the first among the companies developing updated Covid vaccines to release data on their vaccine’s effectiveness against BA.2.86. Pfizer and Novavax are also expected to launch new vaccines targeting another omicron variant called XBB.1.5 in the coming weeks, pending approval from the FDA.
Moderna’s trial results provide assurance that their vaccine will remain effective against emerging virus variants as XBB.1.5 becomes less prevalent nationwide. Recent clinical trial data from Moderna has also indicated protection against the dominant EG.5, or “Eris,” variant and the rapidly spreading FL.1.5.1 strain.
“Taken together with our previously communicated results showing a similarly effective response against EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants, these data confirm that our updated COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be an important tool for protection as we head into the fall vaccination season,” said Moderna President Stephen Hoge in a statement.
New vaccines are on the horizon as Eris and other Covid variants contribute to a rise in cases and hospitalizations across the country.
Covid hospitalizations have increased by 18.8% over the week ending Aug. 19 and 87% over the past month, according to the latest data from the CDC. However, these numbers remain lower than the levels observed during last summer’s surge.
Eris currently accounts for 21.5% of all cases in the U.S., while FL.1.5.1 makes up 14.5%, as per the CDC’s latest data.
Last week, the CDC reported four U.S. states where BA.2.86 has been detected, but it is still considered a rare variant and is not listed separately on the CDC’s variant tracker.
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