Moderna Developing Vaccine Booster Shot Against Virus Strain First Identified in South Africa
Article summary
Moderna Inc. said Monday its Covid-19 vaccine appeared to be protective against emerging variants of the coronavirus in laboratory tests, but that as a precaution it will start testing whether a booster shot improves immune responses, including a new vaccine targeting the strain first identified in South Africa. The company said its vaccine produced immune-system agents known as neutralizing antibodies against emerging virus variants tested, including strains first identified in the U.K. and South Africa. […] Moderna said its vaccine induced antibody production against the strain first identified in the U.K., known as B.1.1.7, at levels comparable to prior variants. Yet antibodies decreased sixfold against the strain first identified in South Africa, known as B.1.351. […] The company said it expects its standard, two-dose vaccine to be protective against the emerging strains to date.
