Moderna Confident Its Vaccine Is Effective In Facing The New Variant Of COVID-19

JAKARTA - COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Moderna believes their vaccine can protect against infection with a new variant of the corona virus found in England and South Africa.

However, they will also be testing a new booster injection for a South African variant, once it has concluded that this strain reduces the antibody response. This was conveyed by Moderna in a statement on Monday January 25, reported by Reuters.

Moderna said, in dealing with the British variant, there was no reduction in the antibody response. However, for the South African variant, the response was reduced. However, they believe its two-dose regimen will provide some protection.

To be sure, Moderna plans to publish data from the results of tests carried out on the new variant on the bioRxiv website.

Previously, new variants in Britain, South Africa and Brazil had raised concerns that mutations in the virus could make vaccines less effective.

Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said in his research note, Moderna's testing showed that even against the variant found in South Africa, the antibody response generated by the mRNA-1273 vaccine was still above protective levels.

"Moderna's speed in designing the new booster shot candidate is a testament to the flexibility of the new mRNA technology on which (its vaccine development) is based," said Yee.

Previously, University of Pennsylvania Infectious Diseases Specialist who was also a member of the US Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory panel Dr. Paul Offit worries that vaccines cannot protect against the new variant of the corona virus.

“It's a bit worrying that you see a lower neutralizing antibody response, but that doesn't mean that you're unprotected. The purpose of this vaccine is to keep you away from the hospital and keep you away from the morgue, ”said Offit.