With Variants on the Rise, Third Dose of Moderna May be Needed Before Winter

Thursday saw a flurry of news out of the Moderna, one of the three primary manufacturers of vaccines protecting against Covid-19—some positive, some not as much. 

While the company cited studies indicating that the vaccine’s 93% efficacy in protecting against covid-19, even six months after administration of the second dose, this protection was only this effective against the original (or “alpha”) strain of the virus. 

In a second announcement today, the company suggested that a third dose of the vaccine may be necessary to protect against the Delta Variant, which has been spreading throughout the United States, and in many countries throughout the world. 

The company said Thursday it is also working on a single shot that would provide an annual booster for COVID-19, as well as flu and the respiratory condition RSV.

"We believe that increased force of infection resulting from Delta, non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) fatigue, and seasonal effects (moving indoors) will lead to an increase of breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals," the company said in a statement posted on their website. 

Moderna has sold $5.9 billion worth of its coronavirus vaccine during the six-month period ending June 30th, for a total of 302 million doses.

(PHOTO BY: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)