Moderna, an American biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, began developing its vaccine in January 2020.
The first batch of the vaccine was developed in early Februaryjust 25 days after the gene was sequenced.
By mid-year, Moderna received funding and fast-track regulatory allowances to help move development along.
zoranm/Getty Images
In February 2021, the U.S. ordered another 100 million doses, bringing the total to 300 million doses.
When Was Moderna’s Vaccine Officially Approved?
On January 31, 2022, the FDA granted the vaccine full approval for those 18 and older.
The approved vaccine is marketed under the name Spikevax.
How It Works
The Moderna vaccine is anmRNA vaccine, similar to the one developed byPfizer.
This makes mRNA vaccines safer for certain populations.
An mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine contains a single-stranded molecule that complements a strand of your DNA.
This triggers an immune response.
Modernas vaccine was initially tested in adults aged 18 to 55.
The Phase 1 trial investigated three different doses25, 100, and 250 microgramsgiven twice, 28 days apart.
How Was Moderna’s Vaccine Tested?
How Effective Is It?
The study investigated responses by other immune cells, like T-cells, too.
Other immunity tests, like the PsVNA, showed little response after the first dose.
Exactly How Effective Is It?
On March 10, 2021, Moderna announced the launch of a booster study targeting the B.1.351 variant.
How Many Doses Are Available?
No one receiving a vaccine can be charged any fees.
Who Can Get the Moderna Vaccine?
Everyone 6 months and older is now eligible for the Moderna vaccine.
All doses of the Moderna vaccine are updated vaccines that protect against newer COVID-19 variants.
The vaccine is typically available in healthcare centers and retail locations like pharmacies that administer other vaccines.
Therefore, the CDC recommends that some immunocompromised people receive extra doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Less than 20% of the people who were vaccinated report a fever after the second dose.
Local effects, on the other hand, affect only a small, limited area.
The most common effect in this category was pain at the injection site.
The severity of reactions increased with the second dose of the vaccine.
There was also no evidence of vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease in the trials.
Previous vaccines for coronavirus in veterinary use and animal models have led to respiratory problems related to vaccination.
Although it’s rare, serious allergic reactions can occur after receiving the Moderna vaccine.
Most cases occurred within 15 minutes of vaccination and no deaths were reported.
Most people who developed these conditions have responded well to medication and rest.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Food and Drug Administration.Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines.
Moderna.Modernas work on our COVID-19 vaccine.
Jackson LA, Anderson EJ, Rouphael NG, et al.An mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2preliminary report.N Engl J Med.
2018;17(4):261-279. doi:10.1038/nrd.2017.243
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Published online April 6, 2021. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2103916
Moderna.Moderna announces first participants dosed in study evaluating COVID-19 booster vaccine candidates.
2022 May;28(5):1063-1071. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-01753-y.
Epub 2022 Feb 21.
Erratum in: Nat Med.
2022 Apr 21;:
MedicalCountermeasures.gov.COVID-19 Medical Countermeasure Portfolio.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccine safety updates, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Myocarditis and Pericarditis After mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination.