Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Generating Encouraging Results

A larger scale study is expected to happen later this month.

(Undated) – An experimental COVID-19 vaccine is being labeled as “safe and generally well-tolerated”.

The investigational vaccine (mRNA-1273), co-developed by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and at 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 to and enter human cells.

The New England Journal of Medicine published interim results from Phase 1 of the vaccine trial on Tuesday. According to the study, the vaccine was generally well-tolerated and prompted neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults.

The trial, which was led by Lisa A. Jackson, M.D., MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, tested 45 adults ages 18 to 55.

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

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

The study found that two doses of the vaccine prompted high levels of neutralizing antibody activity that were above the average values seen in persons confirmed with COVID-19.

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

Phase 3 of the trial is set to begin at the end of July. The Associated Press reports that a 30,000-person study will 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.