On Monday, Moderna declared that its combination vaccine for Covid and influenza generated a stronger immune response in adults aged 50 and over compared to separate vaccines for each virus in a late-stage examination.
Combination Vaccine Produced Higher Levels of Antibodies
The research displayed that the combination vaccine, which uses messenger RNA technology, produced more antibodies than traditional flu vaccines, which have recently become available, as well as Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccine, Spikevax.
The vaccine, designated mRNA-1083, showed a higher immune response against two A strains and one B strain of the flu in older adults compared to popular flu vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi, according to the company.
In March, the Food and Drug Administration suggested that drug manufacturers focus on the three strains H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria for the 2024 seasonal flu vaccines.
The current information comes from two segments of a larger research involving about 8,000 participants.
One segment tested the combination against GSK's Fluarix in adults aged 50 to 64, while the other tested it against Sanofi's Fluzone HD in people aged 65 and older. Fluzone HD is a high-dose vaccine for older adults.
Stephen Hoge, President of Moderna, declared that the company desires to initiate the combination vaccine for the autumn respiratory disease season in 2025, or possibly in 2026.
Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is relying on new vaccines to counter the essentially reduced demand and sales of its Covid vaccine.
If allowed, this combination vaccine would be Moderna's third marketed product, following the current FDA consent of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
Moderna also reported that the combination vaccine was found to be safe and tolerable in recent research, with adverse side effects akin to those of the other vaccines in the examination.
The most typical side effects reported were injection site pain, fatigue, muscle aches, and headache, according to Moderna.
The company plans to present the full research outcomes at a forthcoming medical conference.
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Combined Covid-Flu Vaccine Could Potentially Be Accessible at Later Time
A combined COVID-19 and flu shot may be available in the future, but not for this year's flu season. Moderna declared positive late-stage examination outcomes for its Covid-flu vaccine, mRNA-1083, which produced a stronger immune response compared to standalone flu and Covid vaccines, even in people aged 65 and older.
This combination vaccine allows both convenience and clinical advantages.
Moderna is the first to report successful results for a combined vaccine. Public health experts emphasize the need for enhanced protection against both viruses, as millions contract the flu and Covid each year, resulting in significant hospitalizations and deaths.
Moderna's Phase 3 trial, involving around 8,000 adults, showed that the combination vaccine obtained an essentially higher immune response and was well-tolerated with common side effects like injection site pain and fatigue.
The study is not yet peer-reviewed, but Moderna plans to present the data at a medical conference and seek FDA authorization by fall 2025.
Sue Peschin, president and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, emphasizes that a combined shot could enhance vaccine uptake and public health protection.
Related Article: FDA Urges Drugmakers To Update COVID Shots Ahead of Its Vaccination Campaign This Fall
