Concerns surrounding the FDA’s approval of Moderna’s new mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, mNEXSPIKE, for high-risk individuals have prompted a significant development. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced that Moderna has committed to conducting a true placebo-controlled trial of this novel vaccine. This announcement comes on the heels of the May 31st approval of mNEXSPIKE, a vaccine that, like Moderna’s existing Spikevax, uses mRNA technology.

According to Kennedy’s social media post, the FDA will be closely monitoring this placebo-controlled trial. This move aims to address anxieties surrounding the vaccine’s efficacy and safety profile among some members of the public.

While a Moderna spokesperson confirmed the use of mRNA technology in mNEXSPIKE, they declined further comment. The trial itself promises to provide further valuable data on the new vaccine’s performance, potentially easing concerns and offering a clearer understanding of its effectiveness compared to a placebo.