On June 10, Moderna said its experimental combination vaccine for COVID-19 and influenza surpassed the efficacy of existing shots in a phase 3 trial.
The company is the first to announce positive late-stage results for a combo flu and COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release from the drugmaker.
The ongoing phase 3 study is testing the investigational shot against Sanofi's flu shot, Fluzone HD, and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, among patients 65 and older. Another cohort of adults aged 50 to 64 are either receiving the vaccine candidate or GlaxoSmithKline's flu shot, Fluarix, and Spikevax.
In both age groups, the investigational vaccine produced "statistically significantly higher immune responses" against three flu virus strains and SARS-CoV-2 compared to the standard shots.
"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 Stéphane Bancel said in the release.
The drugmaker has previously said it plans to secure regulatory approval for the vaccine in 2025.