Moderna Inc has unveiled a new Omicron Covid-19 vaccine that it says is five times more effective at boosting antibodies compared to its previous jab.
The vaccine, which would also protect against the first Wuhan strain, might only need to be administered once a year as a result.
Paul Burton, Moderna’s chief medical officer, said: “I think for the first time we could really be looking at that potential for just once-yearly boosting because we can get people to such a high [antibody] level that it will just take longer to decay.”
Moderna’s jab still must pass regulatory tests by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, as well as being suggested by recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation before it can be dished out across the UK.
Stephen Evans, professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “Using different strains of virus in a single vaccine is very familiar in flu vaccines to try and provide continuing protection when a virus is changing its characteristics as is happening with Sars-Cov-2.”
Vulnerable adults and frontline health and social care workers will be the first to be offered another jab in the autumn.
Moderna's share price dropped 3.3% to US$143.70 – possibly on concerns Moderna’s profits could drop with just one vaccine required per year, said analysts.