A new Covid-19 booster jab will be the first to target two strains of the virus in just one dose. The 'next generation' vaccine, developed by Moderna, was on Monday (August 15) approved for use in adults in the UK.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorised Moderna’s bivalent vaccine, which targets both the original Covid strain and the Omicron variant. Known as mRNA-1273.214, the dose is an updated version of the Moderna vaccine which is already in use for first, second and booster doses.
The UK is the first nation to approve its use. Moderna’s chief medical officer, Dr Paul Burton, previously said that the new jab can boost a person’s antibodies to such high levels that it may only be needed annually. Stephane Bancel, chief executive officer at Moderna, described it as a “next generation Covid-19 vaccine” which will play an “important role in protecting people in the UK from Covid-19” over the winter.
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Mr Bancel said: “We are delighted with the MHRA’s authorisation of Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron, our next generation Covid-19 vaccine. This represents the first authorisation of an Omicron-containing bivalent vaccine, further highlighting the dedication and leadership of the UK public health authorities in helping to end the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This bivalent vaccine has an important role to play in protecting people in the UK from Covid-19 as we enter the winter months.” Mr Bancel added that the jab has “consistently shown superior breadth of immune response” over alternatives in clinical trials.
The Department of Health says it has accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer Moderna’s new bivalent vaccine as part of the autumn Covid booster rollout. Health secretary Steve Barclay said: “I have accepted the independent advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on which vaccines should be offered in this autumn’s booster programme. This includes a Moderna bivalent vaccine which will target two different variants – the Omicron and original strain of Covid.
“Vaccines remain our best defence against Covid, and this safe and effective vaccine will broaden immunity and potentially improve protections against some variants as we learn to live with this virus. Our vaccine rollout to date has been world leading – it has already saved countless lives and reduced the pressure on the NHS."
The MHRA said that the vaccine’s side effects are the same as those seen in the original Moderna booster dose and were typically mild. Its chief executive, Dr June Raine, described the new booster as “a sharpened tool in our armoury” to protect the UK against Covid-19.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicines, an independent body sponsored by the DHSC to advise ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products, said the vaccine was safe to use.
He also added that a recent paper in the Lancet medical journal suggested that coronavirus vaccines have prevented up to 20 million deaths in their first year of use. Moderna said it has also completed its applications for regulatory approval of the booster in Australia, Canada, and the EU.
Mr Barclay said those eligible for another jab under the autumn booster programme in the UK will be contacted by the NHS from early September.
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