Moderna Says Its Covid-19 Vaccine Is Effective Against New Variants

Moderna insists its covid-19 vaccine is effective against the UK and South African variants of the virus.

Following studies, the company says the two-dose vaccine is expected to be protective against the emerging strains that have been detected to date.

We just announced that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine retains neutralizing activity against emerging variants first identified in the U.K. and the Republic of South Africa. Read more: https://t.co/UCCvX0PrKV pic.twitter.com/nCGl3hfhlU

— Moderna (@moderna_tx) January 25, 2021

Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, says the findings reinforce the company's confidence "that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should be protective against these newly detected variants."

However, it says out of an abundance of caution it is now trialling a booster shot against the South African variant.

This is being done to determine if it will be more effective to boost protection against this and potentially future variants.