June 11th 2024.
As we continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is hope for a future where we can also protect ourselves against the flu with just one shot. Moderna, a leading vaccine maker, recently announced promising results from its late-stage trial for a combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine, called mRNA-1083. While it won't be available for this year's flu season, the results have been hailed as a breakthrough by Moderna's Chief Medical Affairs Officer, Francesca Ceddia.
According to Ceddia, the trial showed that those who received the combination vaccine had a stronger immune response compared to those who received the standalone flu and COVID vaccines currently available. This was true even for older participants, who typically have a weaker response to vaccines. Ceddia emphasized the significance of not only the convenience of a one-shot vaccine but also the clinical benefits it offers.
Moderna is not the only company working on a combined COVID-flu vaccine, but they are the first to announce positive late-stage trial results. Public health experts agree that having more options to protect against both viruses would greatly benefit the population, as millions of people get sick with the flu and COVID every year. In the US alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 35 to 64 million people were infected with the flu last season, with hundreds of thousands needing hospitalization and tens of thousands dying.
Moderna's Phase 3 trial was a randomized, observer-blind, active control study, meaning that even the clinicians giving the shots were unaware of who received which vaccine. The trial involved about 4,000 adults in two different age groups, with one group receiving the mRNA-1083 vaccine and the other receiving a co-administered COVID-19 vaccine and an enhanced flu vaccine. The results showed a significantly higher immune response in both age groups for the experimental combination vaccine.
In terms of safety, the combined vaccine was well-tolerated, with similar adverse reactions to the co-administered vaccines. The most common complaints were pain at the injection site, tiredness, muscle pain, and headaches. While the study is not yet peer-reviewed, Moderna plans to present the data at an upcoming medical conference and submit it for publication. They also intend to discuss the results with the FDA and seek approval for use in the fall of 2025.
Moderna's CEO, Stéphane Bancel, told CNN that a combined vaccine could be available as early as fall 2025. This news is welcomed by Sue Peschin, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, who believes it could be a significant help to public health. She notes that many people have developed vaccine hesitancy or fatigue after the pandemic, leading to a drop in vaccine uptake for other diseases like the flu. With the possibility of a combined vaccine, Peschin believes it could encourage more people to get vaccinated and protect the entire community.
As we await the approval and availability of a combined COVID-flu vaccine, it's important to continue following safety measures and getting vaccinated for both viruses. While the road ahead may still be uncertain, there is hope for a future where we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones against these illnesses. Stay updated on the latest news by following us on WhatsApp, where you can receive breaking news, celebrity updates, sport news, and more without any distractions or privacy concerns.
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