Moderna releases earnings and talks about booster COVID-19 shots

According to study results released with Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) Q2 2021 earnings report, its COVID-19 vaccine booster has a strong antibody response against the delta variant of the virus. However, the company said that with people going inside following the summer, the contagious delta strain is likely to increase to infections breakout in people that have been vaccinated.

Moderna says booster shot boosts immune response

The company's Q2 results topped Wall Street estimates on revenue and earnings. The company posted revenue and earnings of $4.35 billion and $6.46 per share, respectively, versus estimates of $4.2 billion revenue and EPS of $5.96. 

Although the company's two-dose vaccine is durable for up to six months following the second shot, the level of antibodies fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus will likely wane, thus affecting vaccine efficacy. As a result, there is a need for a third booster shot necessary before winter. Moderna’s vaccine has an efficacy of 93% for six months following a second shot, while BioNTech and Pfizer's vaccine has an efficacy of 84%.

Data submitted to a peer-reviewed journal indicated that in phase 2 studies evaluating the three vaccine booster doses, the third shot had an encouraging immune response against three COVID-19 variants. Moderna wrote:

WHO says third booster COVID-19 shot is not necessary

Moderna’s warning comes at a time when the delta variant is spreading across several countries, including the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the delta variant is more transmissible relative to SARS, MERS, Ebola, smallpox, common cold, and the 1918 Spanish flu. With the rise of the variant, there is growing concern among Americans regarding vaccine efficacy, with other people going for a supplemental dose against CDC's requirements.

However, according to CDC and WHO, booster doses are not necessary for now because of a lack of adequate data. WHO called on first-world nations to stop booster shots distribution to allow low-income nations to get the vaccine. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: