Moderna aims to launch single Covid and flu booster jab within two years

Moderna is aiming to launch a single booster vaccine that will protect against both Covid-19 and flu within two years, according to its chief executive.

The vaccine that protects against Covid-19, influenza andRSV could be available before the winter infectious season in 2023, according to Stéphane Bancel.

He said that the goal was to have a single annual booster so that people wouldn't have to get two to three shots a winter. The best-case scenario is the fall of 2023.

The public was reassured that getting jabs for flu and Covid at the same time did not affect their immune response.

The UK government encourages the public to get a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for people with weakened immune systems. On Boxing Day, it launched a nationwide mobile text message campaign.

Bancel has said that people may need a fourth shot of a vaccine this autumn as protection from booster shots declines.

Israel became the first country in the world to give a fourth dose of the coronaviruses vaccine to people over the age of 60.

Anthony Fauci, the US president's chief medical adviser, said there was no evidence that a repeat of booster disease would overwhelm the immune system.

He said there was no evidence that giving boosters at different times would affect the immune response.

Fauci said the goal should be a booster that causes a response.

Bancel said that Moderna's vaccine candidate targeting the Omicron variant of coronaviruses will enter clinical development soon. He said that the US drug company expects to be able to give data to regulatory authorities in March.

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He said the vaccine was being finished. It will be in the clinic in the coming weeks. We hope to have data to share with regulators in March.

The UK chief executive of Moderna said this month that it would be a stretch for a combined flu and Covid vaccine to be available in the winter of 2023.

He said that after getting the right Covid vaccine for the Omicron variant, the priority was to try to drive forward the flu and respiratory vaccine programmes. The benefit for the National Health Service, and all the vaccination services, and ultimately patients, is going to be huge.