Source: FDA, National Drug Code (US) Revision Year: 2021
The nucleoside-modified mRNA in the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is formulated in lipid particles, which enable delivery of the nucleoside-modified mRNA into host cells to allow expression of the SARS-CoV-2 S antigen. The vaccine elicits an immune response to the S antigen, which protects against COVID-19.
A Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blind clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in participants 18 years of age and older is ongoing in the United States (NCT04470427). Randomization was stratified by age and health risk: 18 to <65 years of age without comorbidities (not at risk for progression to severe COVID-19), 18 to <65 years of age with comorbidities (at risk for progression to severe COVID-19), and 65 years of age and older with or without comorbidities. Participants who were immunocompromised and those with a known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded from the study. Participants with no known history of SARS-CoV-2 infection but with positive laboratory results indicative of infection at study entry were included. The study allowed for the inclusion of participants with stable pre-existing medical conditions, defined as disease not requiring significant change in therapy or hospitalization for worsening disease during the 3 months before enrollment, as well as participants with stable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A total of 30,420 participants were randomized equally to receive 2 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine or saline placebo 1 month apart. Participants will be followed for efficacy and safety until 24 months after the second dose.
The primary efficacy analysis population (referred to as the Per-Protocol Set), included 28,207 participants who received two doses (at 0 and 1 month) of either Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (n=14,134) or placebo (n=14,073), and had a negative baseline SARS-CoV-2 status. In the Per-Protocol Set, 47.4% were female, 19.7% were Hispanic or Latino; 79.5% were white, 9.7% were African American, 4.6% were Asian, and 2.1% other races. The median age of participants was 53 years (range 18-95) and 25.3% of participants were 65 years of age and older. Of the study participants in the Per Protocol Set, 18.5% were at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to at least one pre-existing medical condition (chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, severe obesity, diabetes, liver disease, or HIV infection) regardless of age. Between participants who received Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and those who received placebo, there were no notable differences in demographics or pre-existing medical conditions.
COVID-19 was defined based on the following criteria: The participant must have experienced at least two of the following systemic symptoms: fever (≥38ºC), chills, myalgia, headache, sore throat, new olfactory and taste disorder(s); or the participant must have experienced at least one of the following respiratory signs/symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or clinical or radiographical evidence of pneumonia; and the participant must have at least one NP swab, nasal swab, or saliva sample (or respiratory sample, if hospitalized) positive for SARS- CoV-2 by RT-PCR. COVID-19 cases were adjudicated by a Clinical Adjudication Committee.
The median length of follow up for efficacy for participants in the study was 9 weeks post Dose 2. There were 11 COVID-19 cases in the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine group and 185 cases in the placebo group, with a vaccine efficacy of 94.1% (95% confidence interval of 89.3% to 96.8%).
Table 3. Primary Efficacy Analysis: COVID-19* in Participants 18 Years of Age and Older Starting 14 Days After Dose 2 per Adjudication Committee Assessments – Per-Protocol Set:
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine | Placebo | % Vaccine Efficacy (95% CI)† | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Participants (N) | COVID-19 Cases (n) | Incidence Rate of COVID-19 per 1,000 Person-Years | Participants (N) | COVID-19 Cases (n) | Incidence Rate of COVID-19 per 1,000 Person-Years | |
14,134 | 11 | 3.328 | 14,073 | 185 | 56.510 | 94.1(89.3, 96.8) |
* COVID-19: symptomatic COVID-19 requiring positive RT-PCR result and at least two systemic symptoms or one respiratory symptom. Cases starting 14 days after Dose 2.
† VE and 95% CI from the stratified Cox proportional hazard model
The subgroup analyses of vaccine efficacy are presented in Table 4.
Table 4. Subgroup Analyses of Vaccine Efficacy: COVID-19* Cases Starting 14 Days After Dose 2 per Adjudication Committee Assessments – Per-Protocol Set:
Age Subgroup (Years) | Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine | Placebo | % Vaccine Efficacy (95% CI)* | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Participants (N) | COVID-19 Cases (n) | Incidence Rate of COVID-19 per 1,000 Person-Years | Participants (N) | COVID-19 Cases (n) | Incidence Rate of COVID-19 per 1,000 Person-Years | ||
18 to <65 | 10,551 | 7 | 2.875 | 10,521 | 156 | 64.625 | 95.6(90.6, 97.9) |
≥65 | 3,583 | 4 | 4.595 | 3,552 | 29 | 33.728 | 86.4(61.4, 95.2) |
* COVID-19: symptomatic COVID-19 requiring positive RT-PCR result and at least two systemic symptoms or one respiratory symptom. Cases starting 14 days after Dose 2.
† VE and 95% CI from the stratified Cox proportional hazard model
Severe COVID-19 was defined based on confirmed COVID-19 as per the primary efficacy endpoint case definition, plus any of the following: Clinical signs indicative of severe systemic illness, respiratory rate ≥30 per minute, heart rate ≥125 beats per minute, SpO2 ≤93% on room air at sea level or PaO2/FIO2 <300 mm Hg; or respiratory failure or ARDS, (defined as needing high-flow oxygen, non-invasive or mechanical ventilation, or ECMO), evidence of shock (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, diastolic BP <60 mmHg or requiring vasopressors); or significant acute renal, hepatic, or neurologic dysfunction; or admission to an intensive care unit or death.
Among all participants in the Per-Protocol Set analysis, which included COVID-19 cases confirmed by an adjudication committee, no cases of severe COVID-19 were reported in the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine group compared with 30 cases reported in the placebo group (incidence rate 9.138 per 1,000 person-years). One PCR-positive case of severe COVID-19 in a vaccine recipient was awaiting adjudication at the time of the analysis.
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