China’s Walvax Biotechnology Shows Promising Results in mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

China-based Walvax Biotechnology’s messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine showed promise in a small, late-stage study as a booster to protect against COVID-19.

In the phase 3 trial, 300 adults age 18 years or older who had previously received two doses of either Sinopharm’s or Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine (also known as CoronaVac) were randomized to receive either the Walvax mRNA booster or a CoronaVac booster.

The antibody response was significantly higher in the mRNA booster group compared with those in the CoronaVac booster group, according to the Chinese researchers, who published their findings in the preprint journal medRxiv.

They suggested that the mRNA booster should be authorized for emergency use in China as a booster for anyone who has received a full regimen of another COVID-19 vaccine.