Moderna: Can a Single Vaccine Conquer Both COVID-19 and Flu?
- Molly Duffy
- May 27
- 4 min read
Moderna, a name synonymous with rapid vaccine innovation during the 2020 pandemic, is once again poised to reshape public health strategies with significant strides in a combination vaccine designed to offer protection against both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. This ambitious approach seeks to streamline immunization schedules and enhance public health outcomes, particularly as respiratory illness seasons intensify.
The Vaccine
The investigational vaccine, known as mRNA-1083, integrates Moderna’s next-generation COVID vaccine candidate, mRNA-1283, with the company’s seasonal influenza vaccine candidate, mRNA-1010. This single formulation aims to elicit robust immune responses simultaneously against both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevalent influenza strains. This combination aims to elicit immune responses against both the coronavirus and influenza. In early-stage trials, mRNA-1083 demonstrates strong immunogenicity – the ability of the vaccine to effectively trigger an immune response in the body – with antibody levels comparable to or exceeding those produced by the standalone vaccines.
A robust Phase 3 trial involving approximately 8,000 adults aged 50 and older was conducted to evaluate the safety, adverse reactions, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1083. Initial results are encouraging: a single dose of the combination vaccine elicited immune responses against targeted strains of influenza as well as one variant of COVID-19. Importantly, these responses were found to be non-inferior to those achieved with the individual licensed vaccines, suggesting their potential effectiveness.
Regulatory Plans
According to an announcement from Moderna, the company has "voluntarily withdrawn from the pending Biologics License Application (BLA) for the mRNA-1083, its flu/COVID combination vaccine." This strategic withdrawal, which occurred after a consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 21, does not signify a setback but rather a planned pause. Moderna confirms it "plans to resubmit the BLA later this year, after vaccine efficacy data from the ongoing Phase 3 trial…are available." This indicates the FDA is seeking direct evidence of how well the vaccine prevents illness, rather than just immune response levels, before granting approval.
Implications for Public Health
The development of a combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine holds immense promise for revolutionizing vaccination campaigns. By reducing the number of required injections, mRNA-1083 could significantly improve patient compliance and potentially alleviate operational burdens on the healthcare system, especially during the challenging overlap of flu and COVID-19 seasons. This could lead to more efficient vaccine distribution, reduced administrative tasks for clinics, and better overall population-level protection.
However, the relative novelty of COVID-19 vaccines presents a unique challenge: the combination approach could inadvertently affect public reception of the familiar influenza vaccine. Individuals who harbor skepticism towards COVID-19 vaccines might, by association, extend that skepticism to the combined shot, potentially impacting broader vaccination rates. Furthermore, the current age restriction for the combination vaccine trial to adults aged 50 and older limits its immediate widespread applicability. Future studies will be essential to assess the safety and efficacy of mRNA-1083 in younger populations, which is crucial for realizing its full potential in broader public health strategies.
Moderna’s mRNA-1083 vaccine represents a significant advancement in the field of vaccinology, offering a rapidly developing tool to combat two major respiratory diseases with a single injection. While regulatory hurdles and public perception challenges persist, the ongoing research and forthcoming efficacy data will be pivotal in determining this innovative vaccine’s definitive role in future immunization programs and shaping global health outcomes.
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