Moderna has begun trials for a third COVID-19 vaccine aimed at tackling widespread variants, the company said Friday.
What is happening?
Moderna began testing three variations of a booster shot among 60 participants, the company said.
Moderna said it would start with a variant-specific sting, given in a smaller dose than the original vaccine. This will be done to make sure that the vaccine works on its own.
- This new survey needs permission for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before it is released to the public.
The company said it would then study a combination of the original vaccine – the two doses people are starting to receive – mixed with the new vaccine.
Finally, the company will study the variant specific vaccine, but at a higher volume. Again, this will be done to make sure that the Moderna variant booster shot can work on its own and is safe to issue to people.
Moderna said: “Out of an abundance of caution, Moderna is pursuing a clinical development strategy against these emerging variants.”
Context
Moderna said in January it would work on upgrading the COVID-19 vaccine to fight the coronavirus variants so that they no longer become dominant in the US, as I wrote for Deseret News. Moderna said in February it would begin conducting its new trials.