Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Elicits Activity Against All Variants

June 30, 2021 - Moderna recently announced that its COVID-19 vaccine produced neutralizing titers against all coronavirus variants tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial. 

Specifically, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine produced neutralizing titers against additional versions of South African’s Beta variant, B.1.351, three lineage variants of India’s strain, B.1.617, the Delta variants, B.1.617.2 and B.1.525, and Uganda and Angola’s variants, A.23.1 and A.VOV.V2. 

“As we seek to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative that we are proactive as the virus evolves. We remain committed to studying emerging variants, generating data and sharing it as it becomes available. These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants,” Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, said in the announcement. 

“These findings highlight the importance of continuing to vaccinate populations with an effective primary series vaccine,” Bancel continued. 

Additional analyses for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine showed minimal impact on neutralization titers against the Alpha and A.23.1 variants relative to those against the ancestral strain, D614G.

Additionally, the analysis showed a slight reduction in neutralizing titers against the Delta (2.1 fold), Gamma (P.1, 3.2-fold), Kappa (3.3-3.4-fold), and Eta (2.4 fold) variants relative to those against D614G. 

Researchers also observed a 7.3 or 8.4-fold reduction in neutralizing titers with the additional versions of the Beta variant relative to the ancestral strain. And an 8.0-fold reduction in neutralizing titers relative to the ancestral strain was observed with A.VOI.V2. 

Notably, A.VOI.V2 is not currently a variant of concern. 

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Elicits Strong Immune Response After Third Boosting Dose

AstraZeneca recently announced that its COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, induced strong immune responses following either a prolonged second dose interval of up to 45 weeks or following a third boosting dose. 

The results, published by the University of Oxford, showed that antibody levels remain elevated from baseline for at least one year following a second dose of Vaxzevria. 

Additionally, an extended interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine resulted in up to an 18fold increase in antibody response, measured 28 days after the second dose. 

A third dose of Vaxzevria given about six months after a second dose boosted antibody levels sixfold and maintained T-cell response. A third dose increased neutralizing activity against the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and B.1.617.2 variants. 

“This should come as reassuring news to countries with lower supplies of the vaccine, who may be concerned about delays in providing second doses to their populations. There is an excellent response to a second dose, even after a 10 month delay from the first,” Sir Andrew J Pollard, professor, chief investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, said in the announcement. 

Abbott Receives CE Mark for Rapid Antigen Self-Test 

Abbott recently announced that it has received CE Mark for its Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test, for sale directly to consumers for use in adults and children with or without coronavirus symptoms. 

The over-the-counter approval paves the way for critical access to fast and reliable self-testing throughout Europe, which reduces the spread of infection as economies reopen and daily life activities resume, an Abbott spokesperson said. 

Abbott’s Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test collects timely health information from patients to further reduce spread of infection. The test is minimally invasive and delivers results in just 15 minutes.

"We need to remain vigilant in identifying and slowing the spread of the virus to be successful in winning the fight against COVID-19 even as vaccines roll out," Andrea Wainer, executive vice president of rapid and molecular diagnostics at Abbott, said in the announcement. 

"With CE Mark approval for the Panbio Self-Test, we are able to quickly get these critical rapid tests into the European countries and communities that need them to sustain the reopening of local economies and enable a safer return to work, school, sports, travel and other activities,” Wainer continued.