Moderna: Updated COVID Jabs Effective Against New Subvariant

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Facts

• Pharmaceutical company Moderna on Wednesday announced that its updated COVID vaccine should be effective against the highly-mutated BA.2.86 subvariant.¹
• Moderna said its jab produced an 8.7-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies in that subvariant, which has increased concern over a resurgence of infections.¹
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — which described the new subvariant as having multiple genetic differences from previous versions of the virus — reported nine cases of BA.2.86 have been found in the US, UK, Denmark, South Africa and Israel as of Aug. 23.²
• The variant, known as 'Pirola,' has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant under monitoring because it might have mutations that give it an advantage over others.³
• Moderna's new jab is scheduled to become available as soon as Sept. 13, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it. Then the CDC's independent advisory panel will determine recommendations for who will be eligible to take it, with the CDC director providing final sign-off.⁴

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²FOX News, ³The hill and ⁴Abc news.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by NBC. This is excellent public health news because the updated Moderna jabs seem ready to protect individuals against all the newest COVID variants. Vaccines and booster shots were key in moving the world beyond being restricted by COVID and they continue to be the best way to prevent death and severe illness — and make sure life remains normal.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Even after the fully-vaccinated and twice-boosted First Lady, Jill Biden tested positive again for COVID, Pres. Biden and the Democrats seem ready to crank up rhetoric around vaccine requirements and mask mandates. These sentiments aren't going to sit well with the American people — especially with the 2024 election just around the corner.