Product Focus: mNEXSPIKE® (mRNA-1283) by Moderna

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality among older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions, particularly those residing in community care settings. Despite declining pandemic-era mortality, COVID-19 remains responsible for significant healthcare disruption, including outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths for older and medically vulnerable adults. Recent analyses indicate that adults aged 65 years and older account for approximately two-thirds of COVID-19 hospitalizations and more than 80% of COVID-19-related deaths despite comprising less than 20% of the U.S. population. COVID-19 continues to have an outsized impact on long-term care and post-acute care populations, making prevention strategies particularly important in these settings.

mNEXSPIKE^® (mRNA-1283) is Moderna’s next-generation mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, initially approved in 2025 and subsequently updated for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season to target the circulating COVID-19 JN.1-lineage XFG variant. Unlike earlier mRNA vaccines that encode the full spike protein, mNEXSPIKE^® uses a more focused design encoding only the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain (NTD) of the viral spike protein. This targeted approach allows the vaccine to achieve robust immune responses using only one-fifth the mRNA dose utilized in traditional mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The efficacy and immunogenicity of mNEXSPIKE^® were evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical trial, which enrolled more than 11,000 participants and compared mRNA-1283 mNEXSPIKE^® with Moderna’s earlier vaccine, mRNA-1273 Spikevax. Notably, subgroup analyses suggested especially strong immune responses following mNEXSPIKE^® administration among adults aged 65 years and older, the population at greatest risk for severe disease. The 2026-2027 formulation of mNEXSPIKE^® has received FDA approval for all adults aged 65 years and older and for high-risk individuals aged 12-64 years.

mNEXSPIKE® DTC What to Expect Guide

2026-2027 mNEXSPIKE® Overview

Moderna Power of mRNA Infographic

2026-2027 mNEXSPIKE® Operations Guide

mRNA-1283 at a Glance Infographic

For medically vulnerable populations in community care settings, vaccination remains one of the most effective interventions for reducing severe COVID-19 outcomes. mNEXSPIKE^® offers operational advantages for healthcare facilities this year. The 2026-2027 formulation is supplied in prefilled syringes and can be stored under refrigerated conditions without requiring thawing prior to administration, simplifying vaccine handling and reducing logistical complexity for pharmacies, assisted living facilities, and community vaccination clinics. For community care providers, the consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond acute infection. Hospitalization for COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of deconditioning, falls, cognitive decline, loss of independence, exacerbation of underlying chronic illnesses, and transition to higher levels of care. Given the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among older adults, seasonal vaccination with mNEXSPIKE^® represents an important strategy to reduce severe disease, preserve functional status, and mitigate complications of underlying chronic illnesses among community care and long-term care residents. Please consider sharing, or printing and posting the attached materials to promote mNEXSPIKE^® uptake amongst appropriate staff and residents in your community. Contact your HealthDirect representative for further information on supply solutions to meet the needs on your community’s vaccination program.

If you’d like to receive HealthDirect Clinical content via email. Use the QR code or visit the link to subscribe.

https://hdrxsvcs.com/subscribe