Safety of COVID-19 mRNA-1273 booster doses in Asian populations: A literature review of post-marketing observational studies.
mRNA-1273 boosters appear to be well tolerated in Asian populations, with severe adverse events occurring infrequently, but further long-term safety monitoring is necessary.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the kisspeptin (kp-10) corpusSummary and findings
The safety profile of mRNA-1273 (Moderna, Inc.) booster doses was evaluated in Asian populations using post-marketing observational data. A total of 27 studies from eight countries were included, focusing on adverse events (AEs) related to the booster doses. Findings indicated that mRNA-1273 boosters were well tolerated with severe AEs occurring at low frequency.
Abstract
Real-world data on the safety of COVID-19 booster doses in Asian populations are needed to inform national immunization programs. The safety profile of mRNA-1273 (Moderna, Inc.) was evaluated using post-marketing observational data. PubMed and EMBASE were searched on June 30, 2025, for studies meeting the following predefined criteria: observational design, adverse events (AEs), mRNA-1273 boosters (dose 3+), and population data from the South-East Asia and Western-Pacific regions. Data on study characteristics, and AE incidence and severity, were extracted. Of 886 records screened, 27 studies from eight countries (Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore) met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, mRNA-1273 boosters were well tolerated, with severe AEs occurring at low frequency. Based on the included observational studies, these findings support the favorable safety profile of mRNA-1273 boosters in Asian populations. Long-term safety monitoring is needed to guide public-health responses to evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Background
This paper addresses the need for real-world data on the safety of COVID-19 booster doses, specifically mRNA-1273, in Asian populations. Prior knowledge on vaccine safety has largely been derived from clinical trials, which may not fully represent diverse populations. Understanding the safety profile in different demographics is crucial for informing national immunization programs.
Methods
The study utilized a literature review approach, searching PubMed and EMBASE for observational studies that reported on adverse events related to mRNA-1273 boosters. The search was conducted on June 30, 2025, and included studies from South-East Asia and Western-Pacific regions. A total of 886 records were screened, resulting in 27 studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria.
Results
The findings indicate that mRNA-1273 boosters were well tolerated across the included studies. Severe adverse events were reported to occur at a low frequency, although specific numeric data on incidence rates were not provided in the abstract.
Interpretation
The results suggest a favorable safety profile for mRNA-1273 boosters in the studied Asian populations, aligning with existing literature on vaccine safety. However, the lack of detailed numeric findings limits the ability to assess the clinical significance of the reported low frequency of severe AEs. The observational nature of the studies introduces potential confounds, such as selection bias and reporting bias.
Key findings
- 27 studies included from eight countries: Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Singapore.
- Severe adverse events (AEs) occurred at low frequency.
- Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
- Observational study design may introduce bias.
- Lack of detailed numeric findings on adverse event incidence.
- Long-term safety data not reported.