Posted on Aug 16, 2022
The U.K. approved omicron-specific booster shots. They're coming to the U.S. soon
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https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/ [login to see] /uk-us-approved-omicron-booster-variant-ba5
The United Kingdom has become the first country to approve vaccine boosters designed to target the omicron variant of COVID-19, paving the way for Brits to receive their shots in early fall.
The Moderna shot approved in the U.K. is "bivalent," meaning it's a mix of two versions of the vaccine: Half is targeted at the original strain of COVID-19, and half is a new formulation designed to fight the original omicron variant, also known as BA.1.
"What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve," Dr. June Raine, the head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said in a statement.
Researchers in the U.K. found that the Moderna-made omicron booster "triggers a strong immune response" against both the original 2020 strain of the coronavirus and the original omicron variant, which emerged late last year.
The United Kingdom has become the first country to approve vaccine boosters designed to target the omicron variant of COVID-19, paving the way for Brits to receive their shots in early fall.
The Moderna shot approved in the U.K. is "bivalent," meaning it's a mix of two versions of the vaccine: Half is targeted at the original strain of COVID-19, and half is a new formulation designed to fight the original omicron variant, also known as BA.1.
"What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve," Dr. June Raine, the head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said in a statement.
Researchers in the U.K. found that the Moderna-made omicron booster "triggers a strong immune response" against both the original 2020 strain of the coronavirus and the original omicron variant, which emerged late last year.
The U.K. approved omicron-specific booster shots. They're coming to the U.S. soon
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Most people under 50 who don’t otherwise have underlying conditions already have some protection. Even though the effectiveness of the original vaccine and booster have waned some, they still help, especially at preventing serious infections and hospitalization. In addition, some estimates say as many as 80% of Americans have caught COVID-19, adding natural immunity to the mix.
Plus, vaccines may be less effective when taken too close together. Taken altogether, if you’re young and otherwise healthy, it may be best to wait for the new booster this fall, said Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University.
“If you get a vaccine right now, the concern is that you will not respond as well when you get another vaccine so close to this one. You have to have some time between doses of vaccines,” del Rio said in an interview with NPR earlier this month. “In other words, there’s more risk than benefit of getting another booster right now.”
..."Most people under 50 who don’t otherwise have underlying conditions already have some protection. Even though the effectiveness of the original vaccine and booster have waned some, they still help, especially at preventing serious infections and hospitalization. In addition, some estimates say as many as 80% of Americans have caught COVID-19, adding natural immunity to the mix.
Plus, vaccines may be less effective when taken too close together. Taken altogether, if you’re young and otherwise healthy, it may be best to wait for the new booster this fall, said Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University.
“If you get a vaccine right now, the concern is that you will not respond as well when you get another vaccine so close to this one. You have to have some time between doses of vaccines,” del Rio said in an interview with NPR earlier this month. “In other words, there’s more risk than benefit of getting another booster right now.”
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