Modern on Monday announced positive phase three data on a combination Covid-19 and flu vaccine that was found to be more effective than standalone shots for those viruses. The company plans to file for regulatory approval for its combination jab this summer in the U.S. and hopes to enter the market in 2025, giving them a potential lead over competitors like Pfizer and Novavax. This development comes as fewer Americans are getting vaccinated against Covid, making the added convenience of a combination shot crucial.
Moderna’s combination shot, mRNA-1083, combines their vaccine candidate for seasonal influenza with a newer version of their Covid shot. Both experimental vaccines have shown positive results in separate phase three trials. In a late-stage trial on 8,000 patients, Moderna’s combination shot was found to produce statistically significantly higher immune responses against three strains of influenza and the Covid omicron variant XBB.1.5 in both age groups tested. The safety and tolerability of the combination shot was also acceptable, with common side effects being mild to moderate in severity.
Modern’s CEO Stephane Bancel mentioned that combination shots could reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on pharmacists and the healthcare system, which has been strained due to labor shortages. The company is also developing a combination shot targeting the flu and RSV, as well as a vaccine targeting all three respiratory viruses: Covid, flu, and RSV. Pfizer and BioNTech are also studying a combination vaccine targeting Covid and the flu, while Novavax is developing a combination for those viruses using protein-based technology. The introduction of combination shots could simplify how people protect themselves against respiratory viruses.
The convenience of a combination vaccine is especially important given the current state of the healthcare system and the reluctance of many Americans to get vaccinated against Covid. Moderna’s combination shot showed promising results in a late-stage trial, proving to be more effective than standalone shots for both Covid and the flu. The company is planning to seek regulatory approval for its combination jab this summer in the U.S. and hopes to bring it to market by 2025, giving them a potential edge over competitors. The safety and tolerability of the combination shot were found to be acceptable, with common side effects being mild to moderate in severity.
The ongoing late-stage trial for Moderna’s combination shot tested it on 8,000 patients and found that it produced statistically significantly higher immune responses against three strains of influenza and the Covid omicron variant XBB.1.5 in both age groups tested. The company is also developing combination shots targeting the flu and RSV, as well as a vaccine targeting all three respiratory viruses: Covid, flu, and RSV. Pfizer and BioNTech are also studying a combination vaccine targeting Covid and the flu, while Novavax is developing a combination for those viruses using protein-based technology. The introduction of combination shots could simplify the process of protecting against respiratory viruses.
In conclusion, Moderna’s combination shot shows promise in providing more effective protection against both Covid and the flu compared to standalone shots. The convenience of a combination vaccine is crucial in the current healthcare landscape, where labor shortages have put a strain on the system. Moderna plans to seek regulatory approval for its combination jab this summer and hopes to enter the market by 2025. Other vaccine makers like Pfizer and Novavax are also developing combination shots targeting Covid and the flu, offering potential solutions to simplifying how people protect themselves against respiratory viruses.
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