Before we get into vaccine talk, I just want to say thanks.
Lots of folks called their congresspeople to voice support of our pharmacy bill(s). The Assembly leadership kept it in committee, meaning they didn’t vote on it and won’t in 2025.
OK, back to vaccines!
mNEXSPIKE is Moderna’s new addition to their current COVID19 vaccine lineup, releasing for consumer use In fall 2025.
It’s an “enhanced” version of their main COVID19 vaccine, called Spikevax. Spikevax is just the brand name for the vaccine from “Team Moderna” since the beginning of all this back in 2021.
Learn more: mNEXSPIKE Product Information
How Is It enhanced?
- Lower dose: 10mcg vs 50mcg (the current Spikevax dose). As a comparison, Pfizer’s vaccine is 30mcg
- It works by targeting just 2 binding sites on the spike protein, instead of the whole spike itself
- Formulated slightly differently to not hurt as much
- 80% greater response in patients 65+
- 30% lower risk of getting COVID19 vs Spikevax
- Higher titers at 6 months than Spikevax at 3 months! Better protection for longer.
It seems to be both more effective and have slightly less side effects (mostly less arm pain). It will be what I recommend for patients over 65 moving forward. We’ll have it available this year.
Why I’m ordering conservatively for 2025-2026:
- Insurance coverage MAY lag. Meaning they’ll want to cover only Spikevax, not the new stuff.
- We aren’t 100% sure it will have the same coverage of strains as the new Spikevax. It probably will, but we’re not 100% yet. We will definitely know before September, so more to come…
- We’ll have to wait for the marketing. In my experience, people tend not to jump on the latest and greatest until a few commercials air.
- I also assume that folks will want to check with their docs first. Even though it is not “new,” in my experience people like to check in (Understandably!).
This vaccine will be available for patients 65+, or patients 18-64 with one or more underlying risk factors.
Here’s the most important point: JUST GET VACCINATED.
Learn more: Debunking 5 Common Vaccine Myths: What the Science Really Says
There are only small differences between Spikevax (Moderna), mNEXSPIKE (Moderna), Comirnaty (Pfizer), and Nuvaxovid (Novavax), especially when compared to NOT getting vaccinated or delaying vaccination.
Get whatever vaccine you’re most comfortable with, and stay up-to-date.
Learn more: Vaccine Science 101: What’s Really Going On Under the Microscope?
Neal Smoller, PharmD
Neal is the founder and holistic pharmacist of Village Apothecary in Woodstock, NY. Established in 2010, the independent pharmacy offers a number of modern services like prescription syncing, vaccines, and home delivery, while maintaining an emphasis on natural products and wellness.
Faced with a deeply flawed supplement industry that puts company sales over customer safety and results, Neal established Woodstock Vitamins to meet his high standards for ingredient quality, dosage, ethical sourcing, and bioavailability.
