"The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is concerning to all. However, these data showing that the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster can boost neutralizing antibody levels 37-fold higher than pre-boost levels are reassuring," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement.
"To respond to this highly transmissible variant, Moderna will continue to rapidly advance an Omicron-specific booster candidate into clinical testing in case it becomes necessary in the future."
The CDC and FDA have approved booster doses for Moderna's vaccine for all adults at least six months after they received the second dose. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
Moderna said the new data came from volunteers who received one the two booster strengths and they were assessed against the Omicron variant in a laboratory setting.
The company added that, based on the quick emergence of Omicron and the "complexities" of developing a new vaccine for it, there will be ongoing development for "near-term efforts" to address the new mutation.
Scientists are still studying how Omicron behaves, but most believe that it spreads more easily than other variants, such as Delta. So far, however, they say that the available data indicates that it is more likely to produce less-severe cases of COVID-19.
About a third of vaccinated Americans have so far received a booster dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration have approved booster doses for Moderna's vaccine for all adults at least six months after they received the second dose.