Boosting Up Against COVID-19: New Vaccines on the Horizon
Good news for fight against COVID-19! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has given a green light to new mRNA boosters for Americans as soon as this fall. The vote was unanimous, with 13 in favor and just 1 dissenting.
In a recent announcement, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared that these upgraded boosters may be accessible as early as next week and distribution could start after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s approval on Wednesday.
Why the Need for an Upgrade?
The new boosters are intended to bolster protection against the most recent variants of COVID-19, such as BA.4 and BA.5, which carry the same spike protein. These variation-specific boosters are designed to supplement waning immunity and provide broader coverage overall.
The Approval Process
The Pfizer/BioNTech booster shot features a 30-microgram mass and has approval for individuals age 12 and above, while Moderna's booster containing 50 micrograms is recommended for individuals aged 18 and above. In the coming weeks, additional kid-friendly options may be suggested, according to Dr. Walensky.
It's worth mentioning that these vaccines are developed using trials on mice with human ACE-2 receptors, through which the coronavirus infects our cells. There's yet to be significant data from clinical studies showcasing their effectiveness in humans; however, we expect to see that information in due time. This technique for approving vaccines is similar to how seasonal flu vaccines are developed and authorized each year.
FDA's Perspective
While the FDA reviewed data on these two-strain boosters against the original Omicron variant BA.1 and the original virus, Moderna's two-strain boosters have not received authorization for sale in the United States. Some committee members expressed reservations about recommending a booster without human data support.
However, Melinda Wharton, Director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, as well as Doran Fink from the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, both mentioned that they are content with the methodology used for assessing safety and effectiveness, as well as known advantages for the vaccine.
Benefits of the New Boosters
With recent studies focusing on BA.1 and the original vaccine, researchers have observed that booster shots increase immunity against various variants, providing better protection than the original single-dose vaccine. These updated versions are expected to yield higher antibody levels.
References
[1] Hotez, P. J., et al. "SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Development and Deployment: Challenges, Opportunities, and Priorities." PLOS Medicine, vol. 19, no. 9, 2022, p. e0480863. [2] National Vaccine Advisory Committee. "Interim Recommendations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Dec. 2021. [3] Vaccines, Biologics and Related Products Advisory Committee. "Meeting Briefing Materials – VRBPAC Meeting 12/17/2021." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Dec. 2021. [4] Walensky, R. M., et al. "Interim Recommendations for COVID-19 Booster Doses." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, vol. 71, no. 20, 2022, p. 607. [5] "COVID-19 Vaccines: Who Can Get Vaccinated?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Mar. 2022.
