Combined flu and COVID-19 vaccine begins clinical trials
A combined vaccine that fights the flu and COVID-19 is in the works, with the biotech company behind it beginning the first phase of clinical trials.
Novavax has entered phase one of two clinical trials and enrolled participants to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a combination vaccine. The 640 participants will receive Novavax’s patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant in a single formulation. Participants range in age from 50 to 70 years old.
"This study is the first-of-its-kind to evaluate the vaccine's potential to induce a robust immune response, augmented by our Matrix-M adjuvant, against two life-threatening diseases simultaneously," Gregory M. Glenn, MD, president of research and development at Novavax, said in a statement. "The combination of these two vaccines, which have individually delivered outstanding results with favorable safety and tolerability profiles, may lead to greater efficiencies for the healthcare system and achieve high levels of protection against COVID-19 and influenza with a single regimen."
The study participants have either already been infected with COVID-19 or vaccinated through one of the available vaccines at least eight weeks prior to enrollment. The participants will be split into cohorts to evaluate multiple formulations. They will be dosed at the beginning of the trial and at Day 56.
The trial begins in Australia, with up to 12 sites, in the first half of 2022. Both the NVX-CoV2373 and NanoFlu vaccines have demonstrated high protection rates against COVID-19 infections and seasonal influenza.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."