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Moderna, as a Precaution, to Test Booster Shot Against New South African COVID-19 Strain

January 25, 2021

Moderna became the first COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Jan. 25 to announce a trial of a booster against a virus variant that emerged recently in South Africa.

Moderna says its current vaccine is effective against a new strain identified in Great Britain, but less protective against the South African variant. The pharmaceutical company, with headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., cited findings from a study that used eight blood samples from people who had received  two doses of the vaccine and two immunized monkeys.

In the study, the neutralizing antibody response to the South African variant was six times lower than to the original COVID-19 variant. Despite the reduction, Moderna said the tests show the antibody level remains above that “expected to be protected.”

The company said even though its current vaccine triggered an immune response against both variants it would develop the booster against the South African variant as a precaution.

“If something needs to be done in the summer, we’ll do something,” Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive, told the Financial Times, “but we cannot be late. We don’t want the virus to win. We want the human race to win.”

The Moderna vaccine has been available since an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in December. Like the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, also authorized by the FDA, it uses messenger RNA, or mRNA, technology that generates an immune response with genetic material from the virus.

Moderna’s vaccine was more than 94 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in late-stage clinical trial data published in November. It requires two doses 28  days apart for peak effectiveness. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine also requires two doses, but 21 days apart.

Moderna officials say, because of mRNA technology, it could develop a new vaccine formula rapidly without large-scale trials to determine its effectiveness.

“The vaccine for COVID-19 is predicted to create immunity that lasts one to two years if the full two doses of the vaccine are administered,” said Dr. Michelle McDade, associate chief of The Hospital of Central Connecticut Emergency Department. “Similar to other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, there may be a need for additional booster shots. Experts estimate boosters may be required every year.”

How to Get a Vaccine

Any Connecticut resident in the eligible groups can get vaccinated at a Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinic. An appointment is required to ensure safety. No walk-ins are allowed.

People eligible for a vaccine who already have a MyChartPlus account can log in and make an appointment at a Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinic. If you don’t have a MyChartPlus account, set one up on Hartford HealthCare’s MyChartPlus.org website.

If you’d prefer to schedule your appointment by phone, call the Hartford HealthCare Access Center at 860.827.7690 or toll-free at 833.943.5721.