Moderna made a groundbreaking announcement on Monday, revealing the success of its combination vaccine that targets both Covid-19 and the flu. This innovative approach has proven to be more effective than existing standalone shots for these viruses in a late-stage trial, setting Moderna apart from its competitors Pfizer and Novavax.
The biotech company’s phase three data on the Covid and flu combination shot gives it a potential lead in the race to combat respiratory viruses. Moderna plans to seek regulatory approval for its combination jab this summer in the U.S., with hopes of entering the market by 2025. CEO Stephane Bancel highlighted the significance of combination shots in simplifying the process of protecting against multiple viruses that often surge simultaneously.
Bancel emphasized that combination shots could alleviate the burden of respiratory viruses on pharmacists and the broader U.S. health-care system, which is currently grappling with a labor shortage. As vaccination rates against Covid decline, the convenience and efficacy of combination vaccines can play a crucial role in safeguarding public health.
Moderna’s messenger RNA combination shot, known as mRNA-1083, integrates the company’s vaccine candidates for seasonal influenza and a “next-generation” version of its Covid shot. Both experimental vaccines, mRNA-1010 and mRNA-1283, have shown promising results in separate phase three trials. The ongoing late-stage trial on mRNA-1083 involved 8,000 patients and demonstrated superior immune responses against three strains of influenza and the Covid omicron variant XBB.1.5.
In comparing the combination shot with existing vaccines, Moderna’s study indicated significantly higher immune responses in patients ages 50 and above. The safety profile of the combination shot was deemed acceptable, with manageable side effects such as injection site pain, fatigue, muscle pain, and headache. The majority of adverse effects reported were mild to moderate in severity, underscoring the tolerability of Moderna’s innovative vaccine.
Moderna is not stopping at the Covid and flu combination shot. The company is also developing a combination vaccine targeting the flu and RSV, as well as a vaccine that encompasses all three respiratory viruses – Covid, flu, and RSV. This comprehensive approach to vaccine development reflects Moderna’s commitment to advancing public health and addressing evolving healthcare challenges.
While Moderna leads the pack with its groundbreaking combination vaccines, competitors such as Pfizer and BioNTech are also exploring the potential of dual vaccines for Covid and the flu in their late-stage trials. Novavax, on the other hand, is advancing its own combination vaccine approach, albeit with a different technology utilizing protein-based technology.
Moderna’s breakthrough in combination vaccines marks a significant milestone in vaccine innovation. The success of its messenger RNA combination shot heralds a new era in preventive healthcare, offering a promising solution to the ongoing challenges posed by respiratory viruses. As the landscape of immunization continues to evolve, the development of combination vaccines represents a critical step forward in safeguarding public health and mitigating the impact of infectious diseases.