According to Moderna, their COVID-19 vaccine is still effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variants, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, which scientists first identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa, respectively. However, the vaccine had a significantly reduced antibody response to the latter.
The researchers used sera from individuals who had received the Moderna vaccine, and they found no significant impact on antibody response to the B.1.1.7 variant. Although there was a six-fold reduction in antibody response to the B.1.351 variant, but they explain that the antibodies “remain above levels that we expect to be protective.”
Moderna are already testing a booster vaccine candidate that specifically targets the spike proteins of the B.1.351 variant.
The researchers used sera from individuals who had received the Moderna vaccine, and they found no significant impact on antibody response to the B.1.1.7 variant. Although there was a six-fold reduction in antibody response to the B.1.351 variant, but they explain that the antibodies “remain above levels that we expect to be protective.”
Moderna are already testing a booster vaccine candidate that specifically targets the spike proteins of the B.1.351 variant.
