Moderna today announced that clinical trial data from its research assay confirm its updated COVID-19 vaccine, which is pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the fall 2023 vaccination season, generates an 8.7-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies in humans against BA.2.86 (Pirola), a variant under monitoring. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant may be more capable of causing infection in people who previously had COVID-19 or were vaccinated with previous vaccines, noting that updated COVID-19 vaccines may be effective in reducing severe disease and hospitalization.
“These results demonstrate that our updated COVID-19 vaccine generates a strong human immune response against the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant. Taken together with our previously communicated results showing a similarly effective response against EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 variants, these data confirm that our updated COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be an important tool for protection as we head into the fall vaccination season,” said Stephen Hoge, M.D., President of Moderna. “Moderna will continue to rapidly assess global public health threats and is committed to leveraging our mRNA platform against COVID-19.”
Public health authorities are vigilantly monitoring the BA.2.86 variant, a highly-mutated strain of COVID-19 with over 30 mutations as compared to prior Omicron strains, with some governments accelerating COVID-19 vaccination campaigns due to its potential to break through protective immunity generated from previous COVID-19 vaccination or infection. The emergence of BA.2.86, in addition to the growing prevalence of the EG.5 and FL1.5.1 variants, underscores the need for vaccination with an updated COVID-19 vaccine, which can help reduce severe disease and hospitalizations caused by current circulating strains.
Moderna’s clinical trial data around its updated COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness against BA.2.86 have been shared with regulators and submitted for peer review publication.
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment at Walgreens
Scheduling a vaccination appointment at Walgreens is a straightforward process:
Visit the Walgreens Website: Go to the official Walgreens website or use the Walgreens mobile app to access their vaccination scheduler.
Check Eligibility: Review the eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify for the vaccine based on your age, location, and other factors.
Choose a Location: Enter your zip code to find the nearest Walgreens pharmacy offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Select an Appointment: Browse available appointment times and choose one that suits your schedule.
Provide Information: Complete the necessary information, including your contact details and insurance information if applicable.
Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation of your appointment via email or text message, including details about the vaccine you will receive.
Vaccination Day: On the day of your appointment, arrive at the chosen Walgreens location on time. Remember to wear a mask and follow any safety guidelines provided by the pharmacy.
