Moderna’s Covid-19 combined with influenza vaccine performed as well as separate shots during an early-stage trial. This gives the US biotech firm hope that the more convenient method of protection against diseases could be approved before 2025.
The interim data from the phase 1 trial, which measured antibody levels, showed that the combined vaccine elicited an immune response similar to or greater than the flu viruses currently approved by the FDA. This included Sanofi’s shots for elderly people with high doses. The jab elicited an immune response similar to Moderna Covid booster known as Spikevax.
The side effects of the combined vaccine were similar to those seen with Covid booster. The majority of side effects were mild, but fewer than 4% of participants over 50 years old had more severe reactions.
Moderna’s CEO Stephane Bancel announced that the company will begin a phase 3 late-stage trial of the vaccine in this year.
He said that flu and Covid-19 are a seasonal burden on individuals, healthcare providers, systems, and economies. Combination vaccines are a great way to improve the experience of consumers and providers, boost compliance with public health guidelines and provide value for healthcare systems.
Moderna’s President Stephen Hoge stated that healthcare systems could save between $30 and $40 per vaccination in administration costs, such as transportation and refrigeration.
Some vaccine manufacturers are hopeful that a combination shot given every autumn can help combat vaccine fatigue.
Some experts do not believe that it is more convenient to give two vaccines simultaneously, as they already do. Some experts fear that the side effects of annual shots, including fever and inflammation, will be less than what they experienced during the pandemic.
Hoge stated that side effects of the Covid booster vaccine were much better than the primary series given during the pandemic. The combined shot was targeted towards older people, who are not at risk for the rare but serious side effect of myocarditis.
Moderna’s data follow trial result from Novavax which develops proteins-based vaccines. In May, it reported that in a phase-2 trial, its combined shot was just as effective as its Covid vaccine and approved flu vaccines of competitors.
The Covid vaccinations created during the pandemic were the first to use messenger-RNA technology. This uses genetic codes to teach the immune systems to recognize the virus. These initial shots by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer proved to be highly effective. However, scientists are divided on whether this success can be replicated in the creation of vaccines against other pathogens.
Moderna announced last month that the reformulated influenza vaccine had performed better than previous attempts.
Early data from a late stage trial on antibody levels suggested that its vaccine could compete with GSK’s Fluarix. Moderna has begun discussions with regulators about the approval process.