Moderna Inc. has published a set of data suggesting that its COVID-19 vaccine is effective in preventing serious health problems or death from “worrying variants,” but admits that the effectiveness decreases over time, so those who received the vaccine last year were twice as likely to contract an advanced case of coronavirus disease.
According to the data, which Moderna released on Wednesday, a “study shows a lower risk of advanced infection in more recently vaccinated participants (average 8 months after the first dose) than vaccinated participants last year (average 13 months after the first dose). the first dose) “.
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A Modern trial conducted during the summer, called Phase 3 COVE Study, revealed that “there were 88 advanced cases of COVID-19 in the most recently vaccinated group (49.0 cases per 1000 person-years) compared with 162 cases from the group vaccinated last year (77.1 cases per 1000 person-years). “
In both groups, Moderna noted that “only 19 serious cases were observed.” Although there has been a “numerical trend towards a lower rate of severe cases in more recently vaccinated groups.” Modern insisted that the number of cases was low enough that the trend “was not significant.”
The research found that those who were previously vaccinated had a 50% higher rate of symptomatic advanced cases during the months of July and August compared to those who had received the vaccination later.
In a statement issued along with the data, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel insisted the data “support the need for a boost”.
“It is promising to see clinical and real-world evidence added to the growing body of data on the effectiveness of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine,” Bancel said of the unprecedented analysis. “The increased risk of advanced infections in COVE study participants who were vaccinated last year compared to more recently illustrates the impact of decreased immunity and supports the need for a reinforcement to maintain high levels of protection.
Moderna has also applied for authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a third-dose injection, which will be half the dose of the existing vaccine.