Moderna to Develop Combined COVID-19/Flu Vaccine

Moderna announced on Sept. 9, 2021, that the company will develop a single-dose vaccine, the mRNA-1073, which is designed as a booster for both COVID-19 and the flu. Additionally, they announced the mRNA-1365 development candidate, a pediatric vaccine designed to fight syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus.

The announcement was part of an overview provided to investors at their virtual R&D day, which discussed programs they currently have in development. Other projects that were discussed include an Epstein-Barr virus prophylactic vaccine and a personalized cancer vaccine.

“Today we are announcing the first step in our novel respiratory vaccine program with the development of a single-dose vaccine that combines a booster against COVID-19 and a booster against flu,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in a company press release. “We are making progress on enrolling patients in our rare disease programs, and we are fully enrolled in our personalized cancer vaccine trial. We believe this is just the beginning of a new age of information-based medicines.”

Discussions have been swirling about the necessity of COVID-19 booster shots. The US Department of Human Health & Services stated on Aug. 18, 2021 that they felt booster shots would soon become necessary. Others, such as Tedros Adlhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, World Health Organization, felt it was more pressing to get initial vaccine doses to countries with minimal vaccine exposure.

Source: Moderna