PandemicPreparedness

14 June: Data from a Phase 3 trial evaluating the combined administration of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and an influenza vaccine have been published on BioRxiv. The data has not yet been peer reviewed. This sub-study was conducted as part of the Phase 3 Novavax vaccine study, see the separate news of study results here.

Over 430 people were enrolled in this sub-study, with half randomised to receive NVX-CoV2373 and get a placebo. All were also given a licensed influenza vaccine appropriate for their age. The authors report “Co-administration resulted in no change to influenza vaccine immune response, while a reduction in antibody responses to the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine was noted.” Efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine was 87.5%, as opposed to 89.8% in the main study

As per a press release from Novavax, “these results demonstrate the promising opportunity for concomitant vaccination [of a COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine], which may improve the uptake of both vaccines.”

10 May: Novavax announced in a press release today that preliminary data shows promise for a combined vaccine. The data has not yet been peer-reviewed, but may be found here. The press release notes that the quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine NanoFlu, and the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the manufacturer NVX-CoV2373, “demonstrated positive immune response to both influenza and SARS-CoV-2.” Animal trials found an increase in antibodies to both influenza and COVID-19 after two weeks, with further increase after a second dose. The antibody levels from the combined vaccine in the animal trials were comparable to those seen when the individual vaccines were administered. There is also some evidence of protection against at least two variants of concern.

You may find more information on variants here.