Q&A: All you need to know on getting the Moderna vaccine as a booster – The Irish Times
Posted: December 9, 2021 at 1:42 am
People due to receive their Covid-19 booster vaccine in coming weeks will primarily be offered the Moderna dose at HSE vaccination centres.
The HSE is reported to have large supplies of Moderna due to expire next month, so that will be the main vaccine administered over coming weeks to the over-60s, over-50s, healthcare workers and younger people in vulnerable groups though it will be restricted to people over 30.
Anecdotally there are indications some people may be reluctant to take the Moderna vaccine. This may be due to Irish stocks about to expire shortly and/or confusion about its efficacy. This follows the companys chief executive Stphane Bancel warning last week the Moderna jab may not be as effective against Omicron as it had been with the Delta variant.
The HSE has confirmed recipients will have no choice on what vaccine they are given.
What type of coronavirus vaccine is the Moderna jab?
It is a new kind of synthetic mRNA vaccine the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is from the same stable. They provide excellent protection against severe illness and hospitalisation and have played a critical role in reducing Covid-19 deaths since being approved. A downside, however, is that they must be stored at very cold temperatures.
In a half-dozen studies published earlier this year the Moderna jab appears to be more protective over the long term than the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. Protection against symptomatic infection was 93.1 per cent for people aged 60 and above who originally received the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab and 94 per cent for BioNTech/Pfizer recipients a fortnight after the booster shot was administered.
Should people be worried about receiving a soon to be out-of-date vaccine?
In short no, as they retain the ability to boost antibody production within currently approved time spans though inevitably potency wanes over time. The Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson&Johnson) vaccines were put on the market with emergency use authorisation of up to six months.
This compares with a shelf life of two to three years for most vaccines and other medicines. This is an inevitable consequence of getting the vaccines out of the door as quickly as possible , chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Gino Martini told the journal BMJ.
Months later,these emergency expiry dates remain in force for these vaccines. For approved Covid-19 vaccines, the initial shelf lives were based on data available at the time of submission for regulatory approval.
The long-term shelf life has not been extended for any of the vaccines. A shelf life extension would require supporting evidence from relevant stability studies. Vaccine manufacturers are monitoring batches of vaccines with the aim of providing a longer shelf life; probably the usual two years.
What about the Omicron threat?
While Moderna said existing vaccines including its mRNA version will probably be less effective against the Omicron variant, most experts believe they will continue to provide significant protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. It should be stressed, however, definitive indication has yet to emerge. That will be a matter of weeks, if not days.
Moderna has confirmed it is developing an Omicron-specific booster though manufacturing the new vaccine would take time. Tens of millions of doses could be available in the first quarter of 2022, but scale-up would not happen until the second quarter provided it is shown such boosters are required.
What is the latest indication on the benefits of mixing vaccines?
Evidence supporting a mixing of vaccine doses has hardened over recent months. A study this week shows combining a first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine with a second dose of either the Moderna or the Novavax jabs results in far higher levels of neutralising antibodies and T-cells compared with two doses of the AstraZeneca jab.
This finding also has important implications for lower-income countries that have not yet completed their primary vaccination campaigns as it suggests you do not need access to mRNA vaccines and therefore ultra-cold storage facilities to trigger an extremely potent Covid-19 vaccine response.
The study also bolsters confidence that using the Moderna vaccine as a booster dose in people who have previously received the AstraZeneca jab should result in high levels of neutralising antibodies and T-cells.
It follows separate data published last week suggesting the Pfizer and Moderna booster jabs can dramatically strengthen the bodys immune defences.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) has decided not to recommend the Moderna booster vaccine for eligible people aged under 30 years as a precaution. A similar approach has been taken by authorities in France and the Scandinavian countries after early data showed a higher rate of myocarditis in young males who received Moderna compared to those who were administered Pfizer.
For those aged 30 and over, Niac advises the Pfizer vaccine or a half-dose of Moderna should be administered after a six-month interval, though for operational reasons a minimum interval of five months may be used.
There are early indications the infection rate is slowing down among those aged 75-79 due to the administration of boosters. Covid-19 infections have already fallen among those aged 80 and over, where booster coverage is above 80 per cent. It also describes as encouraging a decrease in the number of infections among healthcare workers.
The rise rapid rise of Omicron elsewhere, which is likely to be replicated in Ireland soon, is the big new complicating factor. So all bets are off until clarity on the exact extent of that threat emerges.
Link:
Q&A: All you need to know on getting the Moderna vaccine as a booster - The Irish Times
- Life Extension Information, Research and Products [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Life extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Forever Young - Short Documentary (Regenerative Medicine/Life Extension) - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- An argument with a life extension denier - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Life extension deniers part 3: their ignorance and stupidity - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Life extension science, also known as anti-aging medicine, - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- NEWS - Life Extension [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- Life Extension Vitamins | Health Supplements | Garcinia ... [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- The Life Extension Blog [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2015]
- About Life Extension: Anti-Aging, Health Supplements ... [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2015]
- Life Extension - Products on Sale, Coupons, Reviews, Free ... [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2015]
- Life Extension - Reviews - eVitamins.com [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Life Extension Manual - A Guide to Anti-aging, Genomes, and ... [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Vitamins & Supplements | Life Extension Europe [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Life Extension News - Life Enhancement Products [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Life Extension diet & fitness | drugstore.com [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2015]
- Life Extension: Durk Pearson, Sandy Shaw: 9780446512299 ... [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2015]
- Life Extension [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2015]
- The Las Vegas A4M Conference - Life Extension [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2015]
- Life Extension Technology and Tissue Regeneration [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2015]
- Ann Arbor Life Extension [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2015]
- Life Extension Supplements/Products: Antioxidants, Anti ... [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2015]
- About Us - Life Extension [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2016]
- Most Popular - Life Extension Vitamins [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Alcor Procedures - Alcor Life Extension Foundation [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2016]
- Alcor Life Extension Foundation - Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2016]
- New... - Life Extension Vitamins [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2016]
- Life Extension Mix Tablets, 315 tablets [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Directory of Innovative Anti-Aging Doctors, Health And ... [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Hormone / Prostate - Life Extension Vitamins [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2016]
- Life Extension - Page 1 - Health Food Emporium [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin -- 400 mg - 60 ... - Vitacost [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2016]
- Life extension - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Heart / Circulation - Life Extension Vitamins [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Life Extension - iHerb.com [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2017]
- Orbital ATK files suit against DARPA - Inside Defense (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Biotechnology xpert Jamie Metzl addresses realities of genetics revolution, Feb. 9 - Vail Daily News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- There is No Limit to Human Life Extension - Futurism [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Human Life Could Be Extended Indefinitely, Study Suggests - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- DARPA hits snag in GEO satellite service plan - Network World [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Orbital ATK Sues DARPA Over Satellite-Repairing Robots | Inverse - Inverse [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Radical Life Extension Is Already Here, But We're Doing it ... [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Private Space Company Suing US Gov't For Stealing Their Idea ... - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- SRS's Melter 2 to be replaced | News | northaugustastar.com - The Star [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Acacia Mining sees 40 percent boost from mine extension | Reuters - Reuters [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Double-blind, randomized crossover study of intravenous infusion of ... - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Only Human - New Republic [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Batteroo Boost, The Battery Life Extender Is Now Available Worldwide - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Why Do People Want to Live So Long, Anyway? - TIME [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Major South African coal extension project on cards South32 - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Evolution approves Cowal life extension project - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Should We Die? - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- When Screening for Disease, Risk is as Important to Consider as ... - University of Virginia [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- A UO lab digs into worms in the quest to lengthen human life - AroundtheO [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Life Extension Science Live Forever and Don't Pay Taxes - Nanalyze [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Who wants to live forever? Transhumanism's promise of eternal life - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Editorial March 29 2017 - Illawarra Mercury [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2017]
- Life Extension and Insilico Medicine Use Artificial Intelligence to Develop Ageless Cell - WholeFoods Magazine [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2017]
- Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension Invites Resident to Partake in - RGVProud [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2017]
- Life Extension and Insilico Medicine Use Artificial Intelligence to Develop Ageless - WholeFoods Magazine [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- How does where you live affect your life expectancy? | PBS NewsHour - PBS NewsHour [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2017]
- Possible mine-life extension good news for contractors - Otago Daily Times [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- SES and MDA Announce First Satellite Life Extension Agreement - Space Daily [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- GARDENING: Reviving St. Augustine grass - Odessa American [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2017]
- Does doxycycline treat h pylori ulcers - Shelf life extension program doxycycline - Longboat Key News [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2017]
- This Study Could Help Extend the Human Lifespan - Futurism [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- A surgeon aiming to do the first human head transplant says 'Frankenstein' predicted a crucial part of the surgery - South China Morning Post [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Silicon Valley looking to extend life | News, Sports, Jobs - The ... - Tiffin Advertiser Tribune [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- TransCanada still sees producer support for Keystone XL - WorldOil (subscription) [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- US approves $115m sale of F/A-18 Super Hornet upgrades to Switzerland - Airforce Technology [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2017]
- BAE Systems sales fire up as tank orders roll in - shropshirestar.com [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- New ICBM Cheaper Than Upgraded Minuteman: Boeing On GBSD - Breaking Defense [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2017]
- BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Awarded CA$34 Million Contract for Primary Heat Transport Motors - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2017]
- BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada in Peterborough lands five-year, $34M deal to make primary heat transport motors for ... - Peterborough Examiner [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2017]
- FAA Issues Structural Life Extension for Eclipse Jets | Business ... - Aviation International News [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2017]
- BWXT NEC to provide seven heat transport motors for Bruce Power reactors - Power Technology [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Johanna and Mario Host Extension Leadership Workshop - KSST (press release) (registration) (blog) [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Can you take medications past their expiration date? - CBS News [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Ted Williams will be first baseball player to get 'American Masters' treatment - The Boston Globe [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Which Giant Tech Company Is Winning the Race to Be Skynet? - Vulture [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]