Early-Stage Trials Begin for Dual COVID-19, Flu Vaccine

Novavax Incorporation announced on Monday that its combined flu and COVID-19 vaccine elicited working antibodies against the viruses in a preclinical study. The NanoFlu/NVX-CoV2373 vaccine elicited strong responses to both influenza A and B and protected against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.¹

"Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 combination vaccines will likely be critical to combating emerging COVID-19 variants," said Russell Wilson, Novavax Executive Vice President, NanoFlu General Manager.

Animals who received the combined vaccine showed heightened levels of COVID-19 antibodies two weeks after their first immunization. This increased significantly after a second dose, compared to animals that received the COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, alone, the company said. Novavax said it expects to start clinical studies of the combined vaccine by the end of 2021.^1-3

References

1. Novavax announces Positive Preclinical data for Combination influenza and Covid-19 Vaccine candidate. Accessed September 8, 2021. http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn%3Anewsml%3Areuters.com%3A20210510%3AnPn9tWFTsa&default-theme=true
2. Novavax combined influenza/COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in animal study. Reuters. Accessed September 8, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novavax-combined-influenzacovid-19-vaccine-shows-promise-preclinical-study-2021-05-10/
3. Novavax begins early-stage trial for Combined influenza/COVID-19 vaccine. Reuters. News Release. Accessed September 8, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novavax-begins-early-stage-trial-combined-influenzacovid-19-vaccine-2021-09-08/