Fauci warns that omicron will be dominant in the US 2:38
(CNN) -
The biotech company Moderna announced Monday that preliminary data suggests that its half-dose booster dose increased levels of antibodies to the omicron variant compared to levels seen when a fully vaccinated person who did not receive a booster, and a higher dose of the booster raises antibody levels even more.
Currently the Moderna booster is given in a dose of 50 micrograms.
The company's announcement noted that its 50-microgram booster dose increased antibody levels 37-fold and a 100-microgram booster dose increased antibody levels 83-fold compared to levels seen before a booster.
It is not clear what these increases mean in terms of how well the omicron booster doses work clinically.
Ómicron "will be dominant"
this winter, Fauci warns, saying Americans should prepare for "a tough few weeks or months"
But in the company statement, CEO Stéphane Bancel called the data "reassuring."
"The dramatic increase in covid-19 cases from the omicron variant worries us all. However, this data showing that the currently licensed Moderna covid-19 booster can increase neutralizing antibody levels 37 times higher than those pre-boost levels are reassuring, "Bancel said in the announcement.
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Europe sets new restrictions by the end of the year 2:43
"To respond to this highly transmissible variant, Moderna will continue to rapidly advance a specific omicron booster candidate in clinical trials should it be needed in the future. We will also continue to generate and share data through our booster strategies with authorities. to help them make evidence-based decisions about the best vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2. "
SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the coronavirus that causes covid-19.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 32% of fully vaccinated adults have received a booster dose so far.
Separately, Moderna and other vaccine manufacturers have said they are also working on variant-specific booster vaccines.
The UK records more than 10,000 additional cases of the omicron variant in the past 24 hours, health authorities said
Covid-19 booster vaccines can help improve protection against the omicron coronavirus variant and there is no need for a variant-specific booster dose at this time, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Allergy Institute. and Infectious Diseases, during a virtual conference.
CDC advisers prefer Moderna and Pfizer vaccines over J&J 0:58
"Several studies have been done around the country and the world to see how we might prepare in the context of vaccines," Fauci said.
"The message remains clear: If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated," added Fauci, President Biden's top medical adviser.
"And particularly in the omicron field, if you're fully vaccinated, get your booster shot."
