Moderna: Booster shot effective against Omicron variant

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC/NBC) — Moderna said Monday its COVID booster shot appears to provide protection against the Omicron variant.

In a release, the company said preliminary data from lab testing found the current version of its booster (50 micrograms) provided increased antibody levels to neutralize the virus. The data also found that a double dose (100 micrograms) of the shot provided a much greater increase in those levels.

In a statement to NBC News, Moderna’s CEO said;

“The dramatic increase in Covid-19 cases from the omicron variant is concerning to all. However, these data…are reassuring,”

The data has yet to be peer-reviewed.

Additionally, Moderna said it is still developing an Omicron-specific booster, which it expects to advance into clinical trials in early 2022.