Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) has secured a contract with Brazil’s Ministry of Health to supply 12.5 million doses of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for the country’s national vaccination campaign this year. The agreement comes on the heels of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency’s approval of the vaccine in March for use in individuals aged six months and older.
The vaccine, specifically targeting the XBB.1.5 sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2024. This partnership marks Moderna’s first-time contribution to Brazil’s vaccination efforts and is anticipated to enhance the country’s capabilities in combating COVID-19.
Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, expressed pride in supporting Brazil’s public health initiatives and emphasized the company’s commitment to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines to focus on the monovalent XBB.1.5 composition to ensure a robust immune response against the dominant circulating variants. Moderna’s vaccine candidate has demonstrated preclinical and clinical data suggesting an immune response to various sublineages and strains of the virus, including JN.1.
Moderna, known for its pioneering work in mRNA medicine, has made significant strides in vaccine development, including one of the earliest COVID-19 vaccines. The company’s mRNA platform has facilitated the rapid creation of vaccines and therapeutics for a range of diseases. This news is based on a press release statement and should not be seen as an endorsement of Moderna’s claims. The forward-looking statements included in the press release involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ from those projected. Further details can be found in Moderna’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
