The updated batch of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived on December 23 at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA, in Spanish), marking a groundbreaking moment in the fight against the pandemic.
The mRNA-powered bivalent version of the immunization, recently greenlit by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris, in Spanish), is set to hit the commercial scene. However, pharmacies in Mexico are in the dark about when it will be available for purchase.
According to Asofarma, the pharmaceutical company at the forefront of its commercialization, Cofepris takes the lead as the first regulatory authority in Latin America to grant a sanitary registration, propelling Mexico to pioneer status in the region for commercial use.
Moderna’s Bivalent Vaccine
Moderna’s vaccine has secured Cofepris approval for distribution in the Mexican market, offering protection from six months of age onwards.
“This broad application range addresses the need to safeguard the younger population, providing an extra layer of security in the battle against the virus,” explained Asofarma in a press release.
The vaccine’s effectiveness spans multiple XBB variants, aligning with global regulatory and public health recommendations.
According to the company, “Moderna’s clinical trial data supports the robust immune response generated by the vaccine, encompassing various XBB sublineages, including the BA.2.86 variant, as confirmed in additional data shared by the company in September.”
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with regulatory bodies and public health agencies, has recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines to a monovalent XBB.1.5 composition to ensure the strongest immune response against dominant circulating variants. (Additional reporting provided by Inés Gutiérrez)
