Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Biotechnology company Moderna said Wednesday its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is showing a strong immune response in older adults.
The Massachusetts-based company gave the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an update on data from its Phase 1 study of the possible vaccine known as mRNA-1273. Moderna is currently conducting Phase III clinical trials.
Moderna said researchers in early testing gave two 100-microgram doses of the vaccine, 28 days apart, to 10 adults between the ages of 56 and 70 and another 10 over age 70.
After two months, those who received the vaccines had COVID-19 antibody levels higher than patients who had recovered from the virus.
"We believe we picked the absolutely right dose" for adults of all ages," Moderna Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks told the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Moderna said test subjects who received the vaccine candidate showed non-serious side effects, though some reported feeling fatigue, chills, headaches and pain at the injection site. Most symptoms disappeared after two days.
The company said findings from its Phase I trial haven't been peer reviewed, but it has submitted the information to a journal for publication.
Shares of Moderna stock rose more than 5% in trading Wednesday afternoon.
