Jun 11, 2024 12:00:00

Moderna's combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine shows promising results in clinical trials

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Moderna has announced that clinical trials of its combination vaccine ' mRNA-1083 ' against influenza and COVID-19 induced a stronger immune response than administering the vaccines separately.

Moderna Announces Positive Phase 3 Data for Combination Vaccine Against Influenza and COVID-19

https://investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2024/Moderna-Announces-Positive-Phase-3-Data-for-Combination-Vaccine-Against-Influenza-and-COVID-19-/default.aspx

2-in-1 shot for flu and COVID shows promise in advanced trial | Live Science

https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/2-in-1-shot-for-flu-and-covid-shows-promise-in-advanced-trial

According to Moderna, 'mRNA-1083' is a combination of components of 'mRNA-1010,' a seasonal influenza vaccine, and 'mRNA-1283,' a COVID-19 vaccine. Each vaccine has shown positive results in clinical trials.

Moderna administered mRNA-1083 to two groups of roughly 4,000 adults each, and the other group received the flu vaccine Fluzone High-Dose or Fluarix , and the COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax .

The results of the study showed that the group that received the combined vaccine had significantly higher levels of protective antibodies against the new coronavirus variant

Omicron XBB.1.5 , influenza A viruses H1N1 and H3N2 , and some influenza B viruses, and induced a better immune response than the group that received the vaccines separately.

'One of the great benefits of a combination vaccine is that it streamlines the vaccination process and increases vaccination rates with greater convenience. A combination vaccine can reduce the time it takes for doctors and pharmacists to administer the shot,' said Francesca Cedia, Moderna's chief medical officer. 'When we think about combination vaccines, we only think about the convenience factor of reducing the number of doses from two to one. But the really groundbreaking aspect of mRNA-1083 is not just the benefit of reduced doses, but the fact that it is clinically superior.'

On the other hand, mRNA-1083 has side effects similar to those of existing influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, and headache. Nevertheless, Moderna officials told media outlets that they plan to present clinical trial data at an upcoming medical conference and aim to obtain regulatory approval by fall 2025.