Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccine Mix Well

A global leader in influenza prevention announced that the company co-authored the first study to demonstrate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy profile of a COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with a seasonal influenza vaccine.

Maryland-based Novavax, Inc. conducted the sub-study as part of a Phase 3 clinical trial of NVX-CoV2373, its recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

The co-administration sub-study enrolled 431 volunteers in the UK, all of whom received either an adjuvanted, trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (aTIV) or a cell-based, quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (QIVc) provided by New Jersey-based Seqirus US.

The non-peer-reviewed study results published on June 13, 2021, suggest that the efficacy of both the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine candidate appeared to be preserved. 

No additional safety concerns were found with co-administration, and adverse events were similar to the incidence and severity for each vaccine when administered separately.

This study’s limitations include the small size of the sub-study, lack of formal pre-specified non-inferiority statistical assessment of immunogenicity, and the lack of randomization in recruiting the influenza sub-study, immunogenicity, and reactogenicity cohorts.

"These data could be used to help inform guidance or recommendations on the co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, overcoming challenges and contributing towards a new normal to protect at-risk populations from both infections," said Raja Rajaram, M.D., Medical Affairs Lead, EMEA, Seqirus, a co-author of the study, in a related press release.

Seqirus' seasonal influenza vaccines have a well-established safety profile. Although additional research is needed, the results of this study suggest that concomitant vaccination may be a viable immunization strategy. 

Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President of Research and Development, Novavax, commented, "As the first clinical study to evaluate safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with a seasonal influenza vaccine, these results demonstrate the promising opportunity for concomitant vaccination, which may improve the uptake of both vaccines."

Influenza is a common, contagious seasonal respiratory disease that may cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in some people. Influenza can lead to clinical symptoms varying from mild to moderate respiratory illness to severe complications, hospitalization, and in some cases, death. 

The U.S. CDC recommends annual vaccination for individuals aged six months and older who do not have any contraindications. The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated by the end of October each year.

During the 2020-2021 flu season in the USA, the CDC reported very few influenza outbreaks and only (1) pediatric death related to the circulating influenza viruses as of June 11, 2021.

Seqirus produces influenza vaccines across its global manufacturing network, including facilities in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

Summit, NJ-based Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world.

PrecisionVaccinations publishes research-based vaccine news.