The UK has become the first country to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine tailored to the Omicron variant, launching an autumn booster campaign.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority – which was the first in the world to approve an original Covid-19 vaccine – has given a conditional authorization to the vaccine, which targets both the original strain of the virus and Omicron BA.1.
The vaccine is licensed for use in people aged 18 and over, but the UK plans to focus its booster program to prepare for rising cases during
Moderna plans to deliver the first two-type vaccines in the next two weeks because it began production months before the authorization.
But even though the vaccine offers better protection against known variants, it is not yet known how effective it may be against variants that may emerge in the coming months.
In addition to Moderna, the other American company Pfizer is also developing vaccines that will target Omicron.