A world first! UK first to approve new crown vaccine specifically for Omicron

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On August 15, local time, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to approve a vaccine against the new coronavirus variant strain Omicron.

The bivalent original vaccine and the Omicron BA.1 vaccine received the green light from the British government on the same day, Reuters reported on August 15. The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the bivalent vaccine, produced by U.S. company Moderna, for adult vaccination. Subsequently, the U.K. Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVl) approved the use of the company’s vaccine starting in September.

According to Modena researchers, the booster triggered a “strong immune response” against the original neocoronavirus variant, Omicron and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. According to clinical trial data provided, the vaccine produced 1.69 times higher levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies than the original booster shot. The company said it will work with the British government to distribute the new vaccine, but it is unclear exactly when it will be available to the public, according to the New York Times. Stéphane Bancel, the company’s chief executive officer, said, “The authorization approval in the U.K. underscores the dedication and leadership of public health authorities in working to end the new crown outbreak. As we move into winter, (the booster vaccine) will play an important role in protecting the UK population from New Crown pneumonia.”

For her part, MHRA Chief Executive June Raine said she is pleased that the new vaccine meets the regulator’s safety and efficacy standards. “Viruses are still evolving, and this vaccine will be a beneficial tool for us as it helps us fight off the disease.” However, Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, revealed that immunization targeting omicron may drive the virus to continue evolving.

The U.K. government has said that the first two doses of the new vaccine need to be completed first. The overall vaccination rate in the U.K. is reportedly high, with 76 percent of the population having completed the vaccination. UK regulators say the side effects of the new vaccine are generally mild and there are no serious safety concerns.

Modena has now completed regulatory applications for the vaccine in Australia, Canada and the European Union, and further licensing decisions are expected in the coming weeks.