Britain has become the first country in the world to approve Moderna’s bivalent Covid-19 vaccine, which targets both the original strain of the virus and the new Omicron variant.
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LONDON – Britain on Monday became the first country in the world to approve a dual vaccine against Covid-19, which targets both the original virus and the new omicron variant.
Moderna’s updated vaccine, known as bivalent because it targets two variants, is expected to be available for adults as a booster shot from the autumn after receiving approval from the Medicines Regulatory Agency on Monday and UK Health Products.
It was also supported by the UK government’s independent scientific advisory body, the Human Medicines Commission.
The MHRA said that while existing vaccines, which were designed to fight the original strain of Covid, continue to offer good protection, the boosted version would provide better defense as the virus evolves.
“The first generation of Covid-19 vaccines in use in the UK continues to provide important protection against the disease and save lives. What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharp tool in our armory to help us protect us against this disease while the virus continues to evolve,” said Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA.
Greater protection against variants
The Commission for Human Medicines added that the approval is a step forward for the development of vaccines, especially for viruses with high levels of mutation.
“The virus, SARS-CoV-2, is continuously evolving in order to evade the immunity provided by vaccines. This new bivalent vaccine represents the next step in the development of vaccines to combat the virus, with its ability to give lead to a broader immunity response than the original vaccine.”
The approval follows clinical trials, in which a boost with Moderna’s bivalent vaccine was shown to trigger a strong immune response against both the original 2020 strain and omicron BA.1, which emerged in the UK last winter
This bivalent vaccine plays an important role in protecting people in the UK from Covid-19 as we enter the winter months.
Stephane Bancel
CEO, Moderna
It was also found to generate a good immune response against omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, currently the dominant strains in the country.
After the release of its findings in June, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said he was hopeful the new iteration would become its “prime candidate for a fall 2022 boost.”
“This bivalent vaccine plays an important role in protecting the people of the UK from Covid-19 as we enter the winter months,” Bancel added in a statement on Monday.
The UK government has not yet announced exactly who will receive the vaccine, but everyone over 50 and people in high-risk groups in the UK will be offered some form of booster from next month.
The government lowered the age threshold for those eligible for an autumn boost in July, following the continued spread of the virus.
Vaccines are considered one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread and severity of the virus. Research in the medical journal The Lancet estimated in June that Covid-19 vaccines prevented almost 20 million deaths in their first year of use.