The U.K. has authorized Moderna's Covid vaccine that targets two different variant of the virus, the nation's medicines regulator announced on Monday, a world first as pharma firms adapt to a changed viral landscape.
Moderna's vaccine was approved by the U.K.
The MHRA gave the go-ahead for the shot to be used as a booster vaccine.
The United Kingdom is the first country in the world to approve the two-in-one vaccine.
The first omicron variant, BA.1, was the cause of a wave of cases in Britain last winter.
The vaccine caused a strong immune response against both BA.1 and the original strain, as well as generating a good immune response against the newer omicron variant.
While the first-generation vaccine still provides important protection against disease, the bivalent vaccine provides a sharpened tool in our armory to help protect us.
The shot has an " important role to play" in protecting people against Covid-19 as winter approaches, according to Moderna chief Stphane Bancel.
Today's virus is different from the original one that was identified in 2020. Vaccines are still based on the original variant and while they still provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death, experts fear this could change with future versions. Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax are some of the major vaccine makers that have been working on shots specific to the omicron variant. The shot was supposed to be marketed in the U.S., but the FDA told manufacturers to develop shots to specifically target the BA.4 and BA.5 variant, which now make up the vast majority of cases.
The person will be able to get a booster shot. People over the age of 16 have been offered the first booster jab. Everyone 50 years old and older, healthcare workers, social care workers and people ages 5 and older with health conditions putting them at high risk of Covid will be offered additional shots in the fall. The response could be expanded if officials think circumstances justify a bigger roll out. There have been changes to the plans in the past. Due to the high number of cases caused by omicron, the government expanded eligibility for those ages 50 to 65.
The Omicron booster was approved by the UK.
Is it a good idea to get a covid booster. This is who should and how. There is a magazine called "Forbes."
Live updates on the coronaviruses.
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