Moderna says latest Covid vaccine effective against BA.2.86 variant

Moderna‘s latest Covid vaccine produced a robust immune response against BA.2.86, a highly mutated omicron variant that health officials are watching closely, in line with clinical trial data the biotech company released Wednesday. 

The updated shot produced an 8.7-fold increase in protective antibodies against BA.2.86, which has been detected in small numbers nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously said the strain, also often known as “Pirola,” could also be more able to escaping antibodies from earlier infections and vaccinations, but latest research also suggests that the variant could also be less immune-evasive than feared.

Moderna is the primary out of the businesses producing updated Covid jabs to release data on how its shot fares against BA.2.86. Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax are slated to roll out latest vaccines targeting one other omicron strain called XBB.1.5 inside weeks, pending potential approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Moderna’s trial results suggest that the corporate’s jab will still be effective against newer variants of the virus as XBB.1.5 declines nationwide. Last month, Moderna also released clinical trial data suggesting that its latest shot provides protection against the now-dominant EG.5, or “Eris,” variant and one other rapidly spreading strain called FL.1.5.1. 

“Taken along with our previously communicated results showing a similarly effective response against EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants, these data confirm that our updated COVID-19 vaccine will proceed to be a crucial tool for cover as we head into the autumn vaccination season,” said Moderna President Stephen Hoge in a press release.

Recent vaccines are set to reach as Eris and other Covid variants fuel a rise in cases and hospitalizations across the country.

Covid hospitalizations jumped 18.8% throughout the week ending Aug. 19, and 87% over the past month, in line with the latest data from the CDC. But those metrics remain below levels seen when a surge strained hospitals last summer.

Eris accounted for 21.5% of all cases within the U.S. as of Saturday, while FL.1.5.1 accounted for 14.5%, in line with the most recent data from the CDC. 

Last week, the CDC indicated BA.2.86 has been present in 4 U.S. states, nevertheless it’s still so rare that it isn’t listed as a standalone strain on the CDC’s variant tracker.