The United Kingdom is the first country in the world to approve a dual vaccine that protects against both the original COVID-19 variant and the new “Omicron” variant. An improved vaccine developed by the American company Moderna will be offered as a booster shot as early as this fall, promising additional protection against different strains of the virus.
Priority for vaccination will be given to people at risk and those over the age of 50. The first vaccines against the coronavirus were developed by several companies in record time – just a few months after the first cases were detected in China in late 2019. Since then, however, the virus has mutated several times and new variants have emerged that are able to evade the immune protection provided by vaccines. As a result, new outbreaks, while no longer as deadly, continue to occur around the world and remain a threat to public health.
The Moderna vaccine is designed to combat both the original variant of the coronavirus and the first “Omicron” strain (BA.1) that emerged last winter. This vaccine is also called bivalent because it targets two variants of COVID at the same time. The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the use of this vaccine in adults after reviewing the results of clinical trials (the vaccine was tested in 437 patients and demonstrated safety and increased protection against COVID-19).
“The first generation vaccines against COVID used in the UK continue to provide vital protection against this disease and are saving lives,” points out Dr. June Raine, MHRA’s Chief Executive. “And the bivalent vaccine is a specially tailored tool to protect us from COVID as the virus continues to mutate.”
However, despite the demonstrated improved protection against known variants, no one can predict with certainty what to expect in the coming months and how well the new improved vaccine will perform. In total, around 26 million people in the UK will receive the autumn booster. Repeat vaccinations will be targeted primarily at health and social care workers who are likely to come into contact with large numbers of people, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions or compromised immune systems.
Moderna is committed to delivering 13 million doses to the UK by the end of the year. Moderna is not the only company improving its vaccines. Pfizer, for example, is also developing a new vaccine that is effective against the “Omicron” variant.