Moderna’s Combination Flu and Covid-19 Vaccine Outperforms Separate Shots, Study Reveals
In a groundbreaking development, Moderna’s clinical trial data has shown that its two-in-one vaccine, targeting both influenza and Covid-19, elicits stronger immune responses compared to separate inoculations against these viruses. This promising finding paves the way for a more convenient and effective vaccination approach against two major respiratory illnesses.
Superior Immune Responses Against Flu and Covid-19
The phase 3 clinical trial, involving 8,000 participants aged 50 and above, demonstrated that Moderna’s mRNA-1083 vaccine candidate induced statistically significantly higher antibody levels against three influenza strains (H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria) and the Covid-19 Omicron variant XBB.1.5. This enhanced immune response was observed in comparison to the currently licensed flu vaccines (Fluzone HD and Fluarix) and Moderna’s existing Covid-19 vaccine, Spikevax, when administered separately.
“This is the first time in the world that a company has shown positive phase-three results for a single-dose vaccine that combines flu and Covid-19,” said Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO. “Combination vaccines have the potential to reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on health systems and pharmacies, as well as offer people more convenient vaccination options that could improve compliance and provide stronger protection from seasonal illnesses.”
Potential for Widespread Availability
Encouraged by the positive trial results, Moderna plans to submit regulatory applications for mRNA-1083 in the United States this summer, with the aim of bringing the combination vaccine to market as early as 2025. The company is currently the sole frontrunner in the race to develop a successful combined flu and Covid-19 vaccine, surpassing competitors like Pfizer/BioNTech and Novavax, who are also working on similar candidates.
Addressing Seasonal Respiratory Viruses
The convenience of a single shot to protect against both influenza and Covid-19 could significantly alleviate the strain on healthcare systems and pharmacies during respiratory virus seasons. With fewer Americans getting vaccinated against Covid-19, the added convenience of a combination vaccine could improve compliance and overall protection.
While the full dataset from the phase 3 trial is yet to be published, Moderna plans to present the results at an upcoming medical conference and submit them for publication. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by respiratory viruses, Moderna’s combination vaccine represents a promising step towards more efficient and effective immunization strategies.