COVID-19 boosters are now available and Joe Gastaldo, MD, OhioHealth’s system medical director of Infectious Diseases, is hearing the question, “Why is the Moderna vaccine dose 50 micrograms – or half the dose – of the first two?”
That was the way Moderna tested their vaccine dose. In the clinical trials, their vaccine dose showed that 50 micrograms increased antibody levels to an acceptable point and provided protection in the real world against symptomatic COVID-19.
The side effect profile of the 50 microgram dose is essentially the same as the second 100 microgram dose. In other words, the way you felt after the second dose of Moderna is probably how you will feel if you get a Moderna vaccine.
Want to learn more about common COVID-19 questions? Check our Fast Facts page.