Moderna's Flu Shot Is a Combo COVID Vaccine Next?

Moderna's Flu Vaccine Shows Promising Late-Stage Results: A Leap Towards Combination Covid Shot

In a significant stride forward for respiratory disease prevention, Moderna announced on Monday that its investigational mRNA-based influenza vaccine demonstrated a superior immune response compared to existing flu shots in a recent phase three clinical trial. This pivotal development not only paves the way for the approval of their standalone flu vaccine but also brightens the prospects for their highly anticipated combination Covid-19 and influenza jab.

Back in May, Moderna made a strategic decision to voluntarily withdraw its application for the combination shot, which aims to protect against both Covid-19 and influenza simultaneously. This decision followed constructive dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moderna's plan is to resubmit the application, incorporating the robust efficacy data gleaned from the phase three trial of its individual flu vaccine.

Key Highlights of the Announcement:

• Stronger Immune Response: Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine outperformed currently available options in stimulating a stronger immune response during the late-stage trial.
• Resubmission Plans: The company intends to resubmit its application for the combination vaccine and seek approval for its standalone flu shot later this year.
• Anticipated Approval: Subject to regulatory review, Moderna projects approvals for both vaccines in the coming year.

According to Stephen Hoge, Moderna's Head of Research and Development, the combination shot promises to simplify vaccination processes, ultimately benefiting the healthcare system. He emphasized that this simplification will:

• Reduce the workload of doctors and nurses.
• Cut down on healthcare costs.
• Enhance patient uptake of vaccinations.

The market responded positively to the news, with Moderna shares experiencing a surge of nearly 3% in premarket trading on Monday.

Moderna appears to be leading the charge in the race to introduce a combination shot to the market, outpacing competitors like Pfizer and Novavax. While the company refrains from providing specific revenue projections for its individual products, Hoge acknowledged the substantial market potential, stating that Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus each represent multibillion-dollar markets.

"We're obviously hoping that our products allow us to earn our fair share of them," Hoge stated.

This development marks a crucial step towards a future where respiratory illnesses can be addressed with greater efficiency and convenience. By streamlining the vaccination process, Moderna's combination shot has the potential to significantly improve public health outcomes and alleviate the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. It's a promising advancement in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

Tags: Moderna, Flu vaccine, mRNA vaccine, Clinical trial, Immune response, FDA approval, Combination shot, Covid-19, Influenza, Vaccine news

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/30/modernas-flu-vaccine-shows-positive-trial-results-paving-way-for-combo-shot.html