Earlier this week, Moderna announced positive results for its phase 3 clinical trial of a combined vaccine against COVID and influenza. So what exactly did the trial find? And what sort of impact would a two-in-one COVID and flu vaccine have on public health? Let’s take a look. Combination vaccines have been successfully used for several decades in Australia and around the world.
For example, the DTP vaccine, a shot that combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), was first administered in 1948 . The DTP vaccine has since been further combined to offer protection against other diseases. A hexavalent vaccine , which protects against six diseases – diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (an infection that can cause brain swelling) – is today part of routine childhood immunisation programs in Australia and elsewhere.
Another important combination vaccine is the MMR vaccine , given to children to protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Moderna’s phase 3 trial included roughly 8,000 participants across two age groups. Half were adults aged 50 to 64.
The other half were aged 65 and up. In both age groups, participants were randomised to either receive the combined vaccine (called mRNA-1083) or a control. The control groups received a COVID vaccine and a suitable flu vaccine delivered separately.
The control group in the 50-to-64 age category were given the Fluarix flu vaccine, as well as M.
