GeoVax Reaffirms Commitment to Vaccine Safety as COVID-19 Vaccine Development Advances for Vulnerable Populations

GeoVax Labs, Inc. has reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous, science-based evaluation of vaccine safety following discussions by federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting regarding reports of adverse events related to COVID-19 vaccination. The clinical-stage biotechnology company emphasized the importance of transparent pharmacovigilance and ongoing review of safety data for all vaccines, noting that systems such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are designed to detect potential signals that require further thorough, independent analysis.

The company's statement comes as it advances development of GEO-CM04S1, its investigational multi-antigen COVID-19 vaccine based on the Modified Vaccinia Ankara viral vector platform. This platform has a decades-long history of safe use, including in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women and pediatric populations in prior vaccine settings. The MVA vector is non-replicating, which contributes to its established safety profile across diverse patient populations.

GEO-CM04S1 is currently being evaluated in multiple ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials, with particular focus on patients with hematologic cancers resulting in significantly weakened immune systems that do not appear to adequately respond to current authorized COVID-19 vaccines. To date, the vaccine candidate has demonstrated a favorable safety profile under the oversight of independent Data and Safety Monitoring Boards and has shown encouraging immune response within immune-compromised patients. The company maintains its website at https://www.geovax.com for updates on clinical trial progress.

David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, stated that in this moment of heightened focus on vaccine safety, the company's mission to develop vaccines that address the needs of populations most at risk from various infectious diseases becomes more critical than ever. For GEO-CM04S1, this means addressing the critical needs of immunocompromised individuals for whom existing vaccine options may provide insufficient protection. The company remains committed to transparent science, thorough safety monitoring, and collaboration with regulatory authorities.

GeoVax emphasizes that its ongoing clinical trials are designed with robust pharmacovigilance frameworks and long-term follow-up to ensure safety and efficacy are comprehensively assessed. The company's approach recognizes that reports in VAERS alone do not establish causality, and it supports the continued application of rigorous scientific standards to assess vaccine safety. This commitment to evidence-based development is particularly important for vulnerable populations who face greater risks from COVID-19 infection due to compromised immune function.

The development of GEO-CM04S1 represents an important advancement in addressing vaccine equity and protection for immunocompromised patients who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the scientific community continues to monitor vaccine safety data, GeoVax's focus on rigorous evaluation and transparent communication contributes to maintaining public confidence in vaccination programs while advancing solutions for those with the greatest medical need.