Commentary
In September, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a new Moderna-sponsored study on the efficacy of the initial bivalent vaccine targeting BA.1 in comparison to the original monovalent booster.
The primary focus of the study—antibody titers—shows seemingly positive results. In all groups (Omicron being of greatest interest), the bivalent shot created higher antibody levels than the monovalent booster shot.
Based on this finding, the authors conclude, “The bivalent omicron-containing vaccine mRNA-1273.214 elicited neutralizing antibody responses against omicron that were superior to those with mRNA-1273.”
Not so fast. There are a number of serious concerns from the study….