Moderna says vaccine still effective against COVID-19 variant found in Colorado

Biotechnology company Moderna announced January 25 that its COVID-19 vaccine is still effective against new strains of the virus, one of which has a confirmed presence in Colorado.

“The two-dose regimen of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at the 100 µg dose is expected to be protective against emerging strains detected to date,” according to a press release from Moderna.

One of those emerging strains is called B.1.1.7., which was first discovered in the United Kingdom. That version of the COVID-19 virus is believed to be more contagious than previous versions, and according to scientists in the UK, possibly more deadly.

On December 29, 2020, Colorado became the first state in the U.S. to confirm a case of the B.1.1.7 variant. The following day, Governor Jared Polis and CDPHE officials said the individual who tested positive with the B.1.1.7 version of the virus was a member of the Colorado National Guard who had been deployed to the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Simla, Colorado, earlier in the month to help with a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.

In a press conference January 25, Colorado state health officials said they have so far confirmed a total of 10 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant.

The latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) show that Colorado has administered 219,150 shots of the Moderna vaccine and 226,048 shots of the Pfzier vaccine. A recent study (not yet peer-reviewed) found that the Pfizer vaccine was also effective against the new versions of the virus.

Just over 80,000 Coloradans have been immunized with two shots.

Colorado health officials stressed that the best way to avoid contracting the COVID-19 variants is to keep following public health guidance like frequent hand-washing, wearing face coverings in public, and staying at least six feet away from others.

President Biden announced January 25 that it may be possible for the United States to achieve “herd immunity” by vaccinating 300 million people by this summer, adding that "we may be able to vaccinate 1.5 million people per day" within the next three weeks. However, the president did say that it is likely the US will witness more than 600,000 total COVID-19 deaths before turning the corner in the fight against the pandemic.