Moderna starts human trials of an mRNA-based flu shot
Moderna announced today that it had given its mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine to the first group of volunteers participating in a clinical trial. After the huge success of the COVID-19 vaccine which was based on the same strategy, the company's next step in its research into this type of vaccine technology is the start of the trial.
MRNA vaccines were still in their early stages of development, even though they were hailed as the future for vaccine development. The mRNA vaccine is a small injection of genetic material from the target viral strain. The genetic information is used by their cells to create bits of virus which are then fought off by the body's immune system.
Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech were able to prove the effectiveness of their mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. This was a significant endorsement of this vaccine. Pharmaceutical companies now plan to use this technology in fighting other infectious diseases such as flu. Flu shots are available in the United States every year and usually work between 40-60 percent. Most flu shots are made by infecting the influenza virus with chicken eggs or cells. The virus is then killed so that it no longer poses a threat. The virus is difficult to grow so companies must start the shots at least six months in advance, based upon predictions about which strain will be most prevalent that year.
Pharmaceutical companies believe that mRNA-based flu shots will be more effective than traditional shots. They would be easier to produce and could be more closely matched to the flu season.
Moderna is the second company to begin testing its mRNA influenza shot in humans -- Sanofi, Translate Bio and others started a trial this summer. Pfizer, BioNTech and Translate Bio have been keen to test mRNA flu shot in humans for years. They are now pushing ahead with their plans.
Moderna hopes to create combination vaccines that can protect against the flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in one shot. Moderna's chief executive officer Stephane Bancel stated in a press release that the company is working to create a mRNA combination vaccine for people who can receive one shot each fall to protect against the most serious respiratory viruses.
This technology could make flu shots more effective and safer, which could help us be better prepared for any future pandemics. It is easy to create a shot that targets a new strain of influenza virus. Rosemary Rochford is an immunologist at University of Colorado. "[mRNA] gives me a very strong platform to respond quickly," she said.