Oral Tablet Vaccine Similar Efficacy to Flu Shots

A biotechnology company announced that its H1 influenza oral tablet vaccine demonstrated similar protection against influenza virus as the injectable quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in a clinical trial.

This clinical trial’s results suggest oral tablet vaccines could address unmet patient needs, given its ease of distribution and delivery.

“Currently less than half of the approximately 320 million eligible Americans are vaccinated against influenza each year. A convenient and effective tablet vaccine could significantly increase current vaccination rates and generate important public health benefits for at-risk groups and the population as a whole,” said Dave Liebowitz, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Vaxart.

Vaxart is a clinical-stage company developing a range of oral recombinant vaccines based on its proprietary delivery platform. 

Data from the Phase 2 influenza A challenge study demonstrated that Vaxart’s influenza oral tablet vaccine provided a 39 percent reduction in clinical disease relative to placebo, compared to a 27 percent reduction by the injectable QIV.

The tablet vaccine also showed a favorable safety profile, similar to placebo.

The Phase 2 study was completed with support from the Office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under Contract No. HHSO100201500034C.

For the 2017-2018 influenza season, the CDC recommends that the trivalent formulation influenza vaccines contain the following:

• an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
• an A/Hong Kong /4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus
• a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (B/Victoria lineage).

Also, the committee recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines contain the above three strains and the following additional B strain:

• a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage)

Most pharmacies in the USA offer several FDA approved flu vaccines.

The flu shot cost varies depending upon your insurance and which state you live.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Flu vaccine discounts can be found here.

For further information on influenza, its burden on human health and vaccine development, please visit the CDC website.