AR
UR
Moderna is conducting a study for an Omicron booster vaccine with the participation of 3,000 British volunteers. It will be one of the world's first vaccines aimed at tackling the COVID-19 variant.
The vaccine will be tested at various sites across the UK in line with the partnership between Moderna and the National Institute for Health Research. The study will be led by a team based at St George’s, University of London.
As part of the study, half of the volunteers will be given the new Moderna Omicron variant vaccine and the other half will be vaccinated with the regular Moderna dose.
Studies have found that immunity reduces several months after COVID-19 booster doses. It has increased the need for clinical trials to analyse the requirement of a fourth dose of vaccine to protect against the virus.
The new study will see the participation of those people who have had only two doses of a vaccine and have not yet received their booster dose.
Furthermore, a separate COV-Boost sub-study will also be conducted to compare Moderna’s Omicron variant vaccine as a fourth dose with a standard dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Speaking in this regard, Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary, hailed the UK as a leading country to boost research and development of vaccines and medicines as strengthened by the country's renowned life-sciences industry. He praised the study conducted by Moderna as well as 3,000 people participating in the important clinical trial.
"I want this country to be the best place in the world to launch clinical trials. I urge anyone eligible to take part in this vital research and play their part in protecting the country for years to come as we learn to live with Covid-19," he added.
Stephane Bancel, chief executive of Moderna, explained that the UK and NIHR have been pioneering in their work to study vaccines and therapeutics during the global pandemic crisis.
The authorities have developed world-class clinical research capabilities to enhance the fight against the pandemic crisis, she added.
Bancel underlined that it will be first Moderna-sponsored Phase 3 study to be conducted outside of the US with the Omicron-specific booster vaccine
"We appreciate the collaboration with the NIHR and thank the clinical trial teams and participants in the study for helping to advance our understanding of this booster candidate," she said.
Volunteers must note that they have not tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of November 2021. Furthermore, they must have had their last vaccine at least three months before joining the study.
Researchers are recruiting volunteers for the next four weeks. With the clinical trials lasting up to 13 months, the study will take place at up to 29 research sites across England, Wales and Scotland.
SOURCE: The National News