MODERNA'S bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA 1) is being recommended as an alternative booster dose for patients aged 18 years and older, by the Australia Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
The bivalent vaccine received provisional approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) last month (PD 31 Aug).
"While booster vaccination with a variant-containing vaccine may not necessarily 'match' the circulating variant, it is anticipated to induce a broad immune response to current SARS-CoV-2 variants," ATAGI said.
"The Moderna bivalent vaccine is only registered for use as a booster vaccine and contains 50mcg of mRNA, comprising equal quantities encoding the spike protein from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and Omicron BA.1 variant.
"The Moderna primary course requires 100mcg doses and therefore the Moderna bivalent vaccine is not considered suitable for primary vaccination.
"There are no data as yet on the immunogenicity of this bivalent vaccine in a primary series.
"The Moderna bivalent vaccine generates a modestly higher level of antibody response against multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants (approximately 1.6-1.9 times) including BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5, and a similar antibody response against the original virus, compared with the Moderna original booster vaccine."
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