Moderna, a leading pharmaceutical company, has developed an improved version of its mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. The new vaccine, called mRNA-1283, has demonstrated efficacy at lower doses and has a longer shelf life when stored in a refrigerator.
Streamlined Vaccine Design
The mRNA-1283 vaccine contains only two key parts of the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rather than the entire protein. Studies have shown that antibodies generated against specific sites on the spike protein are the most effective in neutralizing the virus. By targeting only these key sites, the mRNA-1283 vaccine aims to elicit a stronger immune response.
Promising Results in Clinical Trials
Moderna has completed the enrollment of its late-stage clinical trial for mRNA-1283. The initial human trial showed that even a tenth of the standard dose of Moderna’s previous COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273, produced a robust antibody response. Lower doses have been selected for subsequent clinical studies, indicating the potential for reduced vaccine doses in the future.
Extended Shelf Life
The shorter mRNAs in the mRNA-1283 vaccine make it less susceptible to degradation, resulting in a longer shelf life. When stored between 2°C and 8°C, the vaccine remains stable for up to a year, compared to six months for the previous mRNA-1273 vaccine.
Targeting Multiple Variants
The current version of mRNA-1283 being tested in clinical trials is designed to target both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants. It can be updated to target newer variants pending regulatory approval.
Latest Booster Shots
The latest mRNA booster shots being rolled out focus on the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant. These booster shots no longer contain the original virus, as studies have suggested that including it may weaken the immune response. The US and UK have approved booster vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.
Overall, Moderna’s enhanced mRNA vaccine shows promising results in reducing vaccine doses, extending shelf life, and targeting multiple variants of the COVID-19 virus.
