Moderna combination flu and Covid shot provides better protection, research shows

A combined flu and coronavirus vaccine produces a higher immune response to both diseases than when the vaccines are administered separately, a clinical trial has shown.

Moderna, the biotech company behind the Spikevax vaccine used in NHS booster programmes, is testing a two-in-one jab that could also protect against the flu. Initial results have shown that it may protect better against these diseases than what is currently used.

The results showed that the antibody response in participants produced a higher immune response against flu and Covid-19 than when the vaccines were administered separately.

The company said they hoped the vaccine would be widely available as early as next year.

The results came from a randomized, controlled phase 3 trial of 8,000 people, split into two groups.

The first group was aged 65 and over and tested the new jab compared to the flu vaccine and the Spikevax jab, while the second group consisted of adults aged 50 to 64.

Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said: “Combination vaccines have the potential to reduce the burden of respiratory viruses on healthcare systems and pharmacies, offering people more convenient vaccination options that can improve compliance and provide stronger protection against seasonal diseases. .

He added: “Moderna is the only company with a positive Phase 3 flu and Covid combination vaccine. 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.”

Earlier this year, Boots said the retailer would offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to healthy customers in England aged 12 and over from next week, at a price of £98.95 per jab.