FDA Advisory Council Unanimously Supports Moderna COVID-19 Booster EUA

Moderna announced on Oct. 14, 2021, that FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously recommended that FDA grant an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273). In a 19–0 vote, the VRBPAC recommended a 50 ug booster shot should be made available to three populations:

• People aged 65 or older
• People aged 18 to 64 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19
• People aged 18 to 64 whose exposure to COVID-19 puts them at risk for COVID-19 complications or severe illness.

Additionally, this booster dose is to be administered only after at least six months have passed since their original vaccination series.

A recent Phase II study of mRNA-1273 was conducted wherein 344 interested participants were given a 50-ug booster dose six to eight months following their second dose. According to the study, neutralizing antibody titers, particularly against variants of concern, had waned prior to this study. However, following a booster dose, neutralizing titers were raised significantly to the Phase III benchmark level.

“We thank the committee for their review and for their positive recommendation in support of [EUA]. This positive recommendation is supported by data on the 50-µg booster dose of our COVID-19 vaccine, which shows robust antibody responses against the original virus, but also against the Delta variant,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in a company press release. “We remain committed to staying ahead of the virus and following the evolving epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. We look forward to making our booster available to people in the U[nited] S[tates] to help protect themselves against this ongoing public health emergency.”

This recommendation is non-binding but will be taken into consideration as it concerns an EUA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will also meet to discuss a recommendation on a booster shot.

Source: Moderna