Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Generating Encouraging Results

A larger-scale study is expected to be conducted later this month.

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(undated) – “Safe and generally well-tolerated,” are just a few things that are being said about the new experimental COVID-19 vaccine.

The investigational vaccine (mRNA-1273), which is being co-developed by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Moderna Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is designed to induce neutralizing antibodies directed at a portion of the coronavirus “spike” protein – which the virus uses to bind and enter human cells.

The New England Journal of Medicine published interim results from Phase One of the vaccine trial on Tuesday. According to the study, the vaccine was generally well-tolerated and prompted neutralizing antibody activities in healthy adults.

Lisa A. Jackson, M.D., MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, led the trial, where 45 adults ages 18 to 55 were tested.

Some participants received two intramuscular injections, 28 days apart, while others received just one injection. The vaccine was given in 25, 100, 250 micrograms.

No serious adverse events were reported. However, more than half of the participants reported fatigue, headache, myalgia, chills, or pain at the injection site. Systemic adverse events were more common following the second vaccination.

The study also found that two doses of the vaccine prompted high levels of neutralizing antibody activities that were more common following the second vaccination.

Researchers have expanded the trial to include adults 55 and older. To date, 120 individuals have participated. However, results for older individuals have not been published.

Phase 3 of the trail is set to begin at the end of July. The Associated Press reports that a 30,000 person study will also go a long way to determine if the vaccine is strong enough to protect against the virus.

For more information visit https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/experimental-covid-19-vaccine-safe-generates-immune-response.