The UK has achieved another milestone in the global fight against COVID-19 as it became the first country to approve a bivalent vaccine that targets both the original and the omicron version of the virus.
The bivalent vaccine made by Moderna has received approval from the UK drug regulator – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a booster dose for adults.
The MHRA gave its approval for the vaccine based on clinical trial data that indicated a ‘strong immune response’ by the vaccine against the Omicron variant (BA.1) as well as against the original COVID-19 virus, Reuters reported. Gave.
Exploratory analysis of clinical trials shows that the shot was also effective in generating an immune response against the currently prevalent omicron branches BA.4 and BA.5.
In addition, the agency did not find any major safety concerns with the new formulation. After the approval of the vaccine, the next course of action regarding its rollout in the country will be decided by Britain’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI).
The continuous mutation of the virus has provided a window for many of its forms to escape the immunity provided by existing COVID-19 vaccines. This has reduced their effectiveness, even though they still successfully provide good protection against hospitalization and death.
“The first generation of COVID-19 vaccines being used in the UK provides significant protection against disease and saves lives,” MHRA chief executive Jun Raine said in a statement.
“This bivalent vaccine is a fast tool in our arsenal to help protect us from this disease as the virus continues to evolve.”
Indicating the widespread acceptance of such vaccines, officials from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) expect COVID variant-adapted vaccines to be approved in the EU by September. He also indicated that the regulator is exploring the possibility of using booster shots that also target the older BA.1 variant because those specifically focused on boosting immunity against the new subvariant are lagging behind in clinical development. are.
In contrast, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to include vaccine shots that focus on new variants in its national vaccine program. The FDA has said it will specifically incorporate Omicron’s new BA.4 and BA.5 offshoots into any new shots used at home.
In addition to Moderna, other vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizers Inc. and BioNTech are also working on modifying their mRNA vaccines to counter the Omicron variants.
Meanwhile, Sanofi and partner GSK are working to come up with a protein-based vaccine that aims to build immunity against the beta subvariant.
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