Newly available Covid-19 bivalent vaccine targets dominant strain of virus

A new Covid-19 vaccine, extending protection against current Omicron strains, has been welcomed in showing how the technology can keep pace with the changing nature of the virus.

On Friday, the Department of Health announced the availability of the adapted bivalent vaccine for those 12 years and older currently eligible for a booster.

The new shot includes components of the original Covid-19 virus and the Omicron variant, offering a more sophisticated level of protection as winter approaches.

“I’m delighted. I’ve been waiting for this for about six, nine months,” said Dr Sam McConkey, specialist in infection disease at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, welcoming the announcement.

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Virus evolution

“The virus, as everyone knows, has really changed and evolved over the last 2½ years and now this vaccine has finally caught up with the more recent strains that are the prevalent strains in Ireland right now” – namely the BA5 and BA4 strains of Omicron.

Using the same mRNA technology as the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the bivalent offers the ability to target dominant strains in much the same way as flu vaccines are adapted. As with previous shots, it is aimed at reducing illness and death, rather than preventing the spread of the virus.

Likening the significance of the update to switching from a black-and-white to a colour TV, Dr McConkey said further versions of the vaccines were likely in the coming years.

“I’m expecting most European countries will be rolling this out in the next few days.”

The development was also welcomed by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, who said it “will play a significant role in Ireland’s autumn/winter vaccination campaign”.

‘Good protection’

The recommendation for use was made by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) to interim chief medical officer Prof Breda Smyth.

Doses of bivalent adapted vaccines have already been delivered through purchase agreements negotiated by the European Commission.

“I want to reassure people that all Covid-19 vaccines, existing mRNA vaccines and adapted bivalent vaccines, are remarkably effective and offer good protection against the worst impacts [of the diseases],” Prof Smyth said.

“It is really important that anyone yet to receive any course of Covid-19 vaccine does so as soon as possible and that anyone for whom a booster dose is recommended makes arrangements to receive that booster.”

Second boosters are currently being offered to a range of people including those aged from 50 to 64, and everyone 12 and older with high-risk conditions.