Results show Moderna vaccine safe

New York: US-based pharmaceutical major Moderna’s experimental vaccine, mRNA-1273, designed to protect against Covid-19 virus, was generally well tolerated and prompted neutralising antibody activity in healthy adults, say researchers.
According to the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, mRNA-1273 is designed to induce neutralising antibodies directed at a portion of the coronavirus “spike” protein, which the virus uses to bind to and enter human cells.
In the Phase 1 trial, led by Lisa A Jackson of Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, the 45 participants ages 18 to 55 years received the candidate vaccine.
Three groups of 15 participants received two intramuscular injections, 28 days apart, of either 25, 100 or 250 micrograms (mcg) of the investigational vaccine.
The results from the first stage of Moderna’s vaccine trial showed the first 45 participants developed antibodies to the virus. The study showed that regarding safety, no serious adverse events were reported.
The researchers revealed that Moderna started its phase 2 trial in May and expects to start a phase 3 trial this month. (IANS)