Do mRNA vaccines need to be tested when updated to handle variants?

Moderna is doing clinical trials on updated versions of their vaccine: https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2022/Moder... https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2022/Moder...

However the FDA has said that they may not require trials for new versions of the vaccines to get them out faster.

FYI;

Covid-19 Vaccines Candidates in Clinical Trials : https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/vaccines/

> Ask HN: Do mRNA vaccines need to be tested when updated to handle variants?

Yes.

> And if so, why?

Safety, efficacy.

> Won't the updated vaccines also be safe

Probably.

> (though perhaps not as effective as desired)?

That's kind of important. Safety isn't binary, and efficacy plays a factor in what safety is minimally acceptable.

> What if there isn't enough time for testing?

Then we need to use what we know about the process to estimate the cost/benefit of skipping, or further limiting, testing to get things out faster. But probably that still means testing happens, but an EUA might be earlier in the process.

> And if so, why? Won't the updated vaccines also be safe (though perhaps not as effective as desired)?

Mostly because they need to be effective before they're mass-produced and recommended to the public. Giving people an ineffective treatment is wasteful and unethical.

Are they not analogous to code for species?

How do you feel about releasing mission critical code without testing?

just give it to me, right in my veins

“We can test in production…”