US FDA Approves Moderna's Next-Generation COVID-19 Vaccine

Next-Generation mRNA Vaccine with Enhanced Efficacy
For People Aged 65 and Older and Those with Underlying Health Conditions

On May 31 (local time), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved the use of the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company Moderna for people aged 65 and older, as well as those with underlying health conditions.

According to major foreign media outlets such as The Economic Times, the FDA has approved the use of Moderna's newly developed messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine, 'mNEXSPIKE', for elderly individuals and people with underlying diseases.

This vaccine is intended for use in people aged 65 and older, as well as those between the ages of 12 and 64 who have at least one underlying health condition as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Moderna stated that it plans to prepare the distribution of this vaccine in line with the respiratory virus season this year and next year.

Yonhap News Agency

In clinical trials, this vaccine demonstrated higher preventive efficacy in adults aged 18 and older compared to Moderna's existing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax. It can also be stored in a refrigerator, which is expected to facilitate smooth supply in regions where vaccine distribution infrastructure is not well established, such as developing countries.

This vaccine approval is the first since U.S. health authorities strengthened regulations on vaccine approvals. Earlier this year, after Robert Kennedy Jr., known as a 'vaccine skeptic', was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, U.S. authorities gradually tightened regulations on vaccine approvals. Last week, the FDA announced a plan to limit COVID-19 vaccinations to people aged 65 and older or those with underlying health conditions.