Moderna booster a half-dose of the same vaccine used in first two shots

Việt Nam’s health ministry first granted conditional approval to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in June last year.— VNA/VnExpress News Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — The Moderna booster jab will be a half-dose of the same vaccine used in the first two full shots as recommended by the producer, the Drug Administration of Việt Nam under the Heath Ministry recently announced.

The administration has been in contact with Zuellig Pharma Vietnam Co Ltd, a branch of Zuellig Pharma and the distribution partner of Moderna in Asia, confirming the dosage of the booster Moderna dose, which is also known as Spikevax. 

Based on the conclusions of the Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients, the Drug Administration of Việt Nam agreed with the company on the application of booster doses of the Spikevax vaccine.

The Spikevax manufacturer’s instructions say that for the basic dose for people aged from 12 years old and over, this vaccine is used in a course of two doses of 100mcg (0.5ml each). The second dose is recommended 28 days after the first dose.

The third dose for adults aged 18 years old and over should be 50mcg, half the first two doses.

According to a Moderna announcement released last month, the 50-microgramme dose could increase antibody levels 37-fold, compared with the levels seen when a fully vaccinated person does not receive a booster, and a 100-microgram dose increased antibody levels 83-fold.

The Drug Administration of Việt Nam states that Zuellig Pharm Vietnam Co., Ltd. must be responsible for the quality and safety of the Spikevax vaccine circulating on the market and is responsible for immediately notifying the Drug Administration of Vietnam of any changes.

On December 12, 2021, the Ministry of Health issued urgent guidance to ensure the safe and effective use of Moderna vaccines. People should receive the first two doses of the same vaccine.

In case vaccine resources are limited, it is possible to use the Moderna vaccine as a second dose for people who received Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines first.

Việt Nam to date has administered 176 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including 74 million second doses and over 23 million additional and booster shots. — VnExpress News