FDA approves Moderna's new vaccine for the most vulnerable
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Moderna's new mNEXSPIKE vaccine, designed for the elderly and those with additional health conditions. The updated version is expected to be accessible before the autumn-winter season of 2025-2026.
What do you need to know?
- Who can receive the new vaccine? The new mNEXSPIKE vaccine is intended for adults aged 65 and over.
- When will it be available? Moderna plans to release the mNEXSPIKE vaccine before the autumn-winter season of 2025-2026.
- Why is it important? The new vaccine offers higher efficacy than previous versions, making it an essential tool for protecting against severe COVID-19.
The new Moderna mNEXSPIKE vaccine has been approved by the FDA as part of the federal government's tightening of COVID-19 vaccination regulations.
This vaccine is targeted at those most vulnerable to severe illness, including the elderly and those with additional health issues.
What are the benefits of the new mNEXSPIKE vaccine?
The new mNEXSPIKE vaccine has been developed to more effectively encourage the body to produce antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moderna highlights that one dose contains five times less active substance than the current Spikevax vaccine, which could mean fewer side effects.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that mNEXSPIKE has a 9.3% higher efficacy compared to the previous version of the vaccine in people aged 12 and over, with efficacy in older individuals increasing by 13.5%.
What are the potential side effects?
Like other vaccines, mNEXSPIKE may cause some side effects. The most common are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches, which typically resolve within a few days. Moderna notes that the risk of a severe allergic reaction is very low and usually occurs within the first hour after vaccination.
Moderna's CEO, Stéphane Bancel, emphasised the significance of the new vaccine as a protective measure for those most at risk of severe COVID-19. Bancel added that COVID-19 remains a serious threat, and last year the virus contributed to the deaths of over 47,000 people in the US.
