Topline
Monday's announcement by Pfizer was that it began a clinical trial to evaluate a flu vaccine using the same mRNA technology as its Covid-19 vaccine. This is the latest step in a race between companies to improve on pandemic success rates and create more effective vaccines.
Pfizer is testing an anti-mRNA flu shot. Getty Images
The Key Facts
Pfizer announced that it has dosed the first participants of a study to test the mRNA-based influenza vaccine it developed with German biotech company BioNTech. This is the same company that it collaborated with for the Covid-19 vaccine. The U.S.-based Phase 1 clinical trial, which is in its early stages of development, will evaluate the safety and immuno responses to the flu vaccine. Pfizer plans to recruit approximately 650 healthy people between the ages of 65 and 85 to test the jab. The company released a statement as well as a website detailing details about the trial. Kathrin Jansen is responsible for vaccine research and development at Pfizer. She stated that there was a need for better flu shots and that the mRNA technology is the best option.
Big Number
650,000. According to the World Health Organization, that's approximately how many people die from the flu each year. The flu causes severe illness in approximately 5 million people. There are many types of influenza viruses that can cause seasonal outbreaks. Vaccine makers try to predict which strains will be most prevalent in any given year. The shots offer protection of 40-60%, but less if they are not compatible with circulating strains.
Important Background
Flu vaccines must be updated annually to keep up with changing strains. The production process is time-consuming and costly. Most vaccines cause an immune response by introducing a part of a disease-causing organism. However, mRNA vaccines introduce genetic material which allows the body make a safe version of the organism it is trained to respond to. This allows for easier editing and flexible production. It is ideal for viruses such as influenza, which are constantly changing.
What to Watch
Although mRNA vaccines have been developed by companies for years, Pfizer and Moderna have been working together on this flu shot since 2018. The pandemic's successes have reenergized efforts to develop the technology. GSK, Pfizer, and Sanofi, which are major players, are heavily investing in the platform. There are already efforts underway to apply the technology for HIV, cancer, and genital herpes. Moderna and Sanofi are also testing flu shots made with mRNA. Moderna is also working on a Covid-And-Flu one-shot vaccine.
Tangent
A spokesperson for French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi said that despite promising results in early-to-mid stage clinical trials, the company would not continue with its mRNA Covid-19 vaccination. Bloomberg first reported this news. In an email, the spokesperson stated that our goal is to contribute to the ongoing pandemic. The spokesperson stated in an email that mRNA Covid vaccines are readily available and it makes no sense to continue developing them. Forbes Sanofi will instead focus on the Covid-19 vaccine it has developed with GSK, which does not use mRNA, and its mRNA pipeline. In 2022, we plan to have a flu-mRNA vaccine available in our clinic.
Continue reading
Pfizer tests a Pill that could Prevent Covid Infection (Forbes).
Moderna CEO: Vaccine Boosters and Flu/Covid Combo Shots are Likely For the Future (Forbes).
What's Next for Moderna Post-Covid-19? CEO Stphane Bankcel Details mRNA Pipeline. (Forbes).
Covids Forgotten Hero - The Untold Story of The Scientist Whose Breakthrough Made Vaccines Possible (Forbes).
COVID unlocks the power of RNA vaccinations (Nature).
Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
