Moderna's Booster Shot Increases Antibody Levels Against COVID-19 Variants

Moderna announced that a single dose of its vaccine given as a booster to previously vaccinated individuals increased neutralizing antibody titer responses against SARS-CoV-2 and two variants of concern, B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa,  and P.1, a strain first seen in Brazil.

Initial data from a phase 2 study also showed that a booster dose of the company’s strain-matched booster achieved higher neutralizing antibody titers against the B.1.351 variant of concern than a booster dose of the company’s regular vaccine.

The preliminary results will be submitted for peer review upon completion of the strain-matched booster arm of the trial, the company said.