| As omicron continues to be the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S., companies are working to develop a booster shot specific to the omicron variant.
Moderna is the latest to make an announcement, saying on Wednesday that its Phase 2 clinical trial is underway. The company has found that its current booster dose does work against omicron, but protection wanes over time.
“We are reassured by the antibody persistence against omicron at six months after the currently authorized 50 μg booster of mRNA-1273. Nonetheless, given the long-term threat demonstrated by omicron’s immune escape, we are advancing our omicron-specific variant vaccine booster candidate and we are pleased to begin this part of our Phase 2 study,” CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a news release.
Moderna's study will involve 600 people. Participants will already be fully vaccinated with Moderna's two-dose vaccine. Some participants will have received a booster dose.
Earlier last week Pfizer announced they started an omicron-specific vaccine trial. The study involves more than 1,420 healthy adults between 18 and 55 years old. Participants are those who have received either two or three doses of the Pfizer vaccine or individuals who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine.
“While current research and real-world data show that boosters continue to provide a high level of protection against severe disease and hospitalization with omicron, we recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address omicron and new variants in the future,” Pfizer Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research and Development Kathrin Jansen said.
Omicron currently accounts for more than 99% of COVID-19 infections in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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