Moderna’s Combined COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Recommended for Approval in Europe
The European Medicines Agency has recommended approval of a combination vaccine developed by Moderna to protect against COVID-19 and influenza with a single dose. This vaccine is intended for individuals aged 50 and over within the European Union and would be the first single-dose vaccine offering protection against both diseases.
Currently, individuals require two separate doses to protect against COVID-19 and influenza, with vaccines updated annually to address circulating strains. Moderna anticipates this vaccine, named mCombriax, along with its mRNA-based influenza vaccine, will contribute to revenue growth following a decline in COVID-19 vaccine demand.
The recommendation is based on a study involving approximately 8,000 participants, demonstrating that recipients of the combined vaccine produced higher levels of antibodies compared to those receiving separate doses of the Spikevax anti-COVID-19 vaccine and traditional influenza vaccines. The agency also considered data supporting the effectiveness of mRNA technology in stimulating an immune response against influenza strains and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The European Commission will now review the European Medicines Agency’s recommendation before making a final decision regarding marketing authorization within the European Union. A specific timeline for this decision has not yet been announced.