"Protection from Moderna Booster Shots May Disappear by Fall Even After Full Vaccination"

Antibody protection level drops to one-sixth after 6 months
"Omicron-specific vaccine Phase 2 clinical trial... Data expected in 2 months"

Moderna's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Paul Burton, spoke about the antibody protection effect of the company's vaccine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of pharmaceutical company Moderna stated that even if individuals have received both the company's vaccine and booster shot, the protective effect may disappear around this fall.

Moderna's CMO Paul Burton appeared on CNN on the 27th (local time) and, when asked whether antibody protection weakens six months after vaccination, referred to research published in the international academic journal The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), saying, "It shows that receiving Moderna's vaccine and a booster shot provides an excellent level of antibody protection not only against the original coronavirus strain but also against the Omicron variant."

Burton added, "However, around six months, that (protection) level begins to decline," and predicted, "If the protective effect continues to decrease, it will probably drop to a level by this fall where people may no longer be protected."

The paper he mentioned stated that Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine continues to provide protection against the Omicron variant, but over time, the antibody protection weakens, and six months after receiving the booster shot, antibody levels dropped to one-sixth.

However, Burton CMO added, "For now, I think it is good news that people who have received the vaccine and booster shot are protected. But we must continue to monitor the situation."

Burton compared Omicron to a "curveball." Just as a curveball thrown by a pitcher suddenly changes trajectory near the batter, Omicron was an unexpected adverse factor. He said, "It exploded worldwide, and now its subvariants have appeared. Hospitalizations in the U.S. are probably at the highest levels we've seen," adding, "To be protected from this, the highest level of protection is needed, and it must be sustained." Recently, cases of stealth Omicron infections, a subvariant of Omicron, have been reported in several countries including the U.S., the U.K., and Sweden.

Regarding Moderna's announcement that it will begin Phase 2 clinical trials for a booster shot specialized for the Omicron variant, Burton said, "It will probably take about two months to obtain data," and predicted, "Therefore, by around mid-year, production will reach its maximum, and preparations to supply people will be underway."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.