Regulators in Australia and the United States have approved Omicron-specific boosters, following approval in the United Kingdom in mid-August, writes Paul Griffin, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at University of Queensland in his article for The Conversation.
In Australia, a Moderna Omicron booster has been provisionally approved for use in adults aged 18 and over. Supplies are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, however the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is yet to advise the government on how the vaccine will be used.
So what’s new about the Omicron booster? And what sorts of advances in vaccine technology might we see next?
The current COVID vaccines will go down in history as one of the greatest achievements of medical science. Developed at record pace – without omitting any of the usual steps to ensure safety and efficacy – the vaccines significantly decreased the risk of severe disease and death.
But they’re less effective at reducing infection. Frequent boosters have been required to protect against new sub-variants. This is because the spike protein, which the vaccines target, has changed. And over time, our protection has reduced due to waning immunity.
Scientists are working to develop COVID vaccines that:
- offer longer lasting protection
- protect against new variants and sub-variants
- provide similar levels of protection from a single dose
- don’t require freezing or refrigeration, and that have an extended shelf life
- deliver a strong response from lower doses of active ingredient.
Read the full story from Assoc Prof Paul Griffin in The Conversation