New York: Moderna has reported that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is producing antibodies in older adults similar to levels in their younger counterparts. The side effects produced are roughly the same as high-dose flu shots, it said in a study.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows a promising picture as immunity tends to weaken with age.
The study was carried out as an extension of Moderna’s Phase I safety trial, conducted in individuals aged 18-55 first. They tested two doses of the vaccine — 25 micrograms and 100 micrograms — in 40 adults aged 56 to 70 and 71 and older.
It was found that the older adults too produced similar immune responses as the younger ones.
Moderna is already testing a higher dose in its large Phase III trial. This is the final stage before it can seek emergency authorization from the US government.
Side effects produced include headache, fatigue, body aches, chills and injection site pain, were deemed to be mainly mild to moderate.
Two volunteers, however, had severe reactions. One developed high fever (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or above) and another developed severe fatigue that temporarily prevented daily activities.
These side effects were resolved quickly.
“This is similar to what a lot of older adults are going to experience with the high dose influenza vaccine,” Dr Evan Anderson, a lead researcher of the study said. “They might feel off or have a fever.”
