Introduction to the New Covid-19 Vaccination
The USA has approved a new Covid-19 vaccination created by Moderna, but with specific limits on who can use it. This new vaccine, MnexSpike, is not a replacement for the company’s existing shot, but rather a second option. It is manufactured in a way that enables a lower dose, a fifth of the dose of its current Covid-19 vaccine, Spikevax, by refining its immune system.
Characteristics of the New Vaccine
The new vaccine is a step towards the next generation of Coronavirus vaccines. According to Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, the approval "adds an important new tool to protect people with a high risk of serious diseases from Covid-19." The Food and Drug Administration approved the new vaccine for use in all adults aged 65 and over and for people aged 12 to 64 who have at least one health condition that increases their risk from the coronavirus.
Usage Restrictions
These restrictions are a departure from the way the United States dealt with COVID-19 vaccines. The existing Moderna vaccine does not face these limits and has been used for individuals aged 6 months and older for some time. The company said that both options will be offered in the autumn. The FDA approval was based on a study with 11,400 people aged 12 and over, in which the new low-dosed vaccine was compared with the existing Moderna vaccine.
Study Findings and Future Developments
The study found that the new vaccine was safe and was at least as effective – and more effective through some measures – than the original shot. The news came only days after the Trump administration cancelled financing for Moderna’s development of a vaccine against potential pandemics, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising results from early studies. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are changing their recommendations for children regarding Covid-19 vaccines.
Recommendations for Children and Pregnant Mothers
The agency left its recommendation for all children to be vaccinated but now recommends Covid-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised children and most adults. The guideline cited a review of the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Health, stating that the risks of the Covid-19 vaccine for healthy children do not outweigh the alleged advantages of the vaccine. It also mentioned the lack of high-quality data proving the safety of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy, alongside the uncertainty of their benefits for pregnant mothers and babies.
