Moderna combo flu and COVID-19 vaccine more effective than single shots – Washington Examiner

Moderna said on Monday that its combination vaccine that targets COVID-19 and the flu was more effective than their current separate vaccines for both viruses, according to new late-stage clinical trial data.

The pharmaceutical giant is the first company to release Phase 3 clinical trial data on a combination flu-COVID vaccine, leading the industry over rivals such as Novavax and Pfizer.

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, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said.

Modernas mRNA vaccine, called mRNA 1083, comprises two different experimental formulas: one for seasonal influenza and another designed for recent variants of COVID-19.

The clinical trial is examining mRNA 1083 in 8,000 patients and is comparing the combination shot to the standard flu and COVID-19 shots already on the market. Patients between the ages of 50 and 64, as well as those over 65, are being studied in two different cohort groups.

So far, the combination vaccine is producing significantly higher immune responses against three strains of influenza and COVID-19.

Moderna reported that the safety of the combination shot is reasonable, with the most common side effects being mild to moderate injection site pain, muscle pain, and headache.

Moderna is the only company with a positive Phase 3 flu and COVID combination vaccine, Bancel said. Building on the momentum of positive Phase 3 data across our respiratory portfolio, we continue to address significant unmet medical needs and advance public health.

Stock prices for both Moderna and Pfizer plummeted following the decreasing uptake of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as the pandemic receded. Moderna, however, seems to be making a recovery following its successful approval for a new RSV vaccine as well as its progress in developing a bird flu vaccine.

The pharmaceutical company is also working on a combination vaccine to combat both influenza and RSV, as well as a tripartite vaccine to target COVID-19, the flu, and RSV.

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Moderna combo flu and COVID-19 vaccine more effective than single shots - Washington Examiner