Moderna coronavirus vaccine shows strong immune response in older adults

Moderna's coronavirus vaccine candidate appears to be safe and produce a strong immune response in older adults, according to new data from an early trial presented by the company at a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meeting today.

The study of 20 adults over the age of 55 found that almost two months after receiving the second of two vaccine doses, participants had antibody levels higher than those of people who have recovered from Covid-19.

“We believe we picked the absolutely right dose” for both younger and older adults, said Tal Zaks, Moderna's chief medical officer, in an interview.

How well a coronavirus vaccine might work for older adults has been an open question, because the immune system's ability to respond to threats declines with age. A vaccine that protects younger adults and children might not work for older adults.

The data Moderna presented today was similar to data from a Phase I trial in younger people that was published in The New England Journal of Medicine in July.

The findings from Moderna's study have not been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, but the company said it has submitted the results to a peer-reviewed publication.

On Monday, Moderna reached an agreement with the European Commission to buy 80 million doses. Zaks said he expects the company to present Phase 3 trial data for approval to regulators late this year or early next year.