Rosalind Evans
Moderna announced on Wednesday its combined COVID and flu vaccine will proceed to the ultimate trial phase for adults aged 50 and above this year, following promising outcomes from preliminary to mid-phase research.
To secure regulatory approval by 2025, Moderna’s mRNA-1083 shot has garnered much attention. Moderna and other vaccine developers, such as Pfizer, are optimistic that combo vaccines will streamline the protection process for individuals against respiratory viruses that tend to peak during similar periods annually.
Moderna’s CEO, Stéphane Bancel, commented, “The potential of combination vaccines lies in enhancing both the user and provider experience, promoting adherence to health guidelines, and presenting cost-effective solutions for healthcare infrastructure.” He further expressed enthusiasm about propelling these combination respiratory vaccines into Phase 3 and collaborating with health authorities to tackle the recurring seasonal risks of these viruses.
In earlier phases of the trial, mRNA-1083 demonstrated an immune reaction equivalent to or surpassing that of two existing flu vaccines provided by GlaxoSmithKline. Moreover, Moderna’s combo vaccine evoked an immunity comparable to its bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, addressing the omicron variants BA.4, BA.5, and the primary virus strain.
The study assessed the combo vaccine’s efficacy across two age brackets: individuals aged 50-64 and those between 65-79. Safety profiles for mRNA-1083 were on par with the dedicated COVID-19 vaccine, with Moderna noting the absence of fresh safety issues for the combined shot.
In addition to this development, Moderna is formulating a combined vaccine for the flu and RSV and another that focuses on all three respiratory diseases: COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
On a related note, Pfizer and BioNTech are also on the path to creating a dual vaccine for Covid and flu. Their phase one trial commenced in November, hoping to introduce the vaccine by 2024.
The rapid development and forthcoming combined vaccine trials signify a promising step forward in the battle against prevalent respiratory viruses. With companies like Moderna and Pfizer at the forefront, the medical world remains hopeful for a streamlined approach to vaccination, which could reduce the logistical challenges and offer enhanced protection to global communities.
