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Moderna admits South African COVID variant reduces its vaccine antibody levels SIX-FOLD as it works on 'booster' to make shot more 'effective'
But the firm is developing a booster shot to improve the vaccine's effectiveness against the South African variant after lab tests suggested the jab might not work as well or provide protection for as long against the worrisome new form.
Levels of antibodies that block the receptors that let the virus infect human cells were six times lower when the vaccine was tested against the South African variant.
That's still well above the level required for them to be protective, but it's a worrisome sign that protection will fade faster.
So Moderna is now working on a tweaked version of its booster shot that would specifically target the South African variant.
The booster shot candidate is now going into preclinical trials.
Moderna's vaccine worked just as well against the UK variant as it does against older forms of the virus, the firm found. It did not specify whether the shot was equally effective against Brazil's variant, or any of the four homegrown variants detected in the US.
Dr Anthony Fauci said last week that South Africa's variant is the most concerning one that has emerged because it may render vaccines less effective and has already spread to at least 20 other countries.
And President Biden banned travelers arriving from South Africa as of Monday, adding the nation to the 'restricted list' alongside the UK, Ireland, Brazil and 26 countries in Europe.
Moderna's Covid vaccine less effective against South African variant | Daily Mail Online
- Moderna's vaccine was protective against UK and South African variants in lab tests
- UK variant did not diminish the potency of Moderna's 94.5% effective shot
- Levels of protective antibodies were six-fold lower against the South African variant - but still 'protective' Moderna said
- It is developing a 'booster' shot aimed at preventing the South African variant
- Dr Anthony Fauci called South African variant the most concerning one
- President Biden banned travelers from South Africa in a bid to prevent more importation of the dangerous variant
But the firm is developing a booster shot to improve the vaccine's effectiveness against the South African variant after lab tests suggested the jab might not work as well or provide protection for as long against the worrisome new form.
Levels of antibodies that block the receptors that let the virus infect human cells were six times lower when the vaccine was tested against the South African variant.
That's still well above the level required for them to be protective, but it's a worrisome sign that protection will fade faster.
So Moderna is now working on a tweaked version of its booster shot that would specifically target the South African variant.
The booster shot candidate is now going into preclinical trials.
Moderna's vaccine worked just as well against the UK variant as it does against older forms of the virus, the firm found. It did not specify whether the shot was equally effective against Brazil's variant, or any of the four homegrown variants detected in the US.
Dr Anthony Fauci said last week that South Africa's variant is the most concerning one that has emerged because it may render vaccines less effective and has already spread to at least 20 other countries.
And President Biden banned travelers arriving from South Africa as of Monday, adding the nation to the 'restricted list' alongside the UK, Ireland, Brazil and 26 countries in Europe.
Moderna's Covid vaccine less effective against South African variant | Daily Mail Online
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