In a press release published on July 7, the American laboratory Moderna has announced that it is launching phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of its candidate-RNA-messenger vaccine against seasonal influenza. This vaccine uses the same technology as that against covid-19. The study which will include 180 people, will assess the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of this vaccine, currently called mRNA-1010.
Hope for a combined influenza-covid vaccine19
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are approximately 3 to 5 million severe cases of influenza each year worldwide and 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths from influenza. Currently, influenza vaccines are formulated 6 to 9 months before use, and their effectiveness is 40 to 60%. The development of an influenza vaccine with messenger RNA should make it possible to include several antigens to protect against several viruses.
“Our vision is to develop a combined mRNA vaccine so that people can be injected each fall for highly effective protection against the most problematic respiratory viruses such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncitial virus ( bronchiolitis) “explains Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.
MRNA-1010 is Moderna’s first seasonal influenza vaccine candidate to enter clinical practice and targets World Health Organization (WHO) recommended lines for the prevention of influenza, including seasonal influenza A H1N1 , H3N2 and influenza B Yamagata and Victoria.
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