Biontech explores the implications of a third vaccine dose
In a collaborative effort with drug authorities in the EU and USA, BioNTech is working on a blueprint study to ensure their COVID-19 vaccine remains effective against emerging variants. The goal is to adapt the vaccine and deliver it quickly if the current one proves ineffective.
Ugur Sahin, co-founder of BioNTech, has announced ongoing studies on vaccine adaptation and booster shots. The blueprint study, expected to take four to five months to complete, aims to test the tolerability and immune responses of an adapted vaccine against mutants.
Sahin has suggested that a third dose of the current vaccine could provide strong immune protection against variants. Interestingly, no comprehensive clinical studies would be required for the delivery of an adapted vaccine, according to Sahin's statements.
In a significant development, BioNTech, in collaboration with Pfizer, has already begun manufacturing a variant-adapted booster for the 2025–2026 season. This booster, targeting the LP.8.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, has received a positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) opinion in the European Union.
The updated booster demonstrates improved immune responses against multiple circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including subvariants like XFG, NB.1.8.1, LF.7, compared to previous adapted vaccines. Studies confirm that booster vaccination significantly reduces severe COVID-19 outcomes, particularly among high-risk groups like patients with cancer.
Regulatory bodies such as the FDA and advisory bodies like ACIP continue to review and recommend updated doses of mRNA vaccines, including BioNTech/Pfizer's formulations, tailored for evolving viral variants and age groups ranging from infants to adults.
If successful, an adapted vaccine could be delivered within six weeks upon the emergence of a mutant. This reflects BioNTech's proactive approach to managing virus variants with updated vaccine adaptations and booster strategies.
Clinical studies on the booster shot approach have already started this week, with ongoing studies focusing on quickly adapting the vaccine when a new mutation emerges. The collaboration between BioNTech and regulatory authorities promises a swift and effective response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Other science, such as health-and-wellness studies, could potentially reveal information about the impact of other factors on a person's vulnerability to COVID-19 variants. BioNTech's ongoing work on vaccine adaptation and booster shots, including their variant-adapted booster for the 2025–2026 season, underscores the importance of staying abreast of emerging science in the fight against the pandemic.
