US to Halve Moderna COVID Vaccine Dosage

Measures to Expand Early Vaccination
Same Immune Effect Even with Half the Dose
Difference from UK Plan to Administer Second Dose Vaccine to Unvaccinated

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States is exploring ways to reduce the dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna. The plan is to vaccinate more people by lowering the dosage.

According to the New York Times on the 3rd (local time), Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientist of the Operation Warp Speed vaccine development initiative, said in an interview with CNN that discussions are underway with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Moderna, the manufacturer, about using half the current dose of the Moderna vaccine to double the number of people vaccinated.

Dr. Slaoui explained that according to Moderna's clinical trial data, two doses of 50 micrograms of the vaccine showed the same immune response as two doses of 100 micrograms. The two-dose schedule at one-month intervals will remain the same even with the reduced dosage.

According to him, this plan is likely to be implemented once the FDA makes a decision.

This plan is interpreted as a measure to vaccinate more people early amid the severe spread of COVID-19.

Previously, in the UK, contrary to the recommendation of two doses, a plan was made to administer only one dose and use the second dose for others. Although one dose results in lower immunity, this emergency measure aims to secure immunity for more people despite the risk. However, some criticized this as ignoring scientists' advice.

The US measure received a more positive evaluation than the UK’s. Professor Natalie Dean of the University of Florida told the New York Times, "If a similar immune response is observed with a lower dose, it will help expand vaccination."

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