mRNA Flu Shot Candidate Compared Against Inactivated Influenza Vaccine

The journal Nature Communications recently published an article that concluded interim data from 2 parts of the phase 1/2 clinical trial support the continued development of mRNA-1010.

The mRNA-1010 vaccine candidate elicited either higher or comparable immune responses to a standard-dose, influenza quadrivalent inactivated vaccine. 

Overall, these first-in-human safety and immunogenicity findings highlight, on June 19, 2023, the potential of the mRNA platform to improve the effectiveness of influenza vaccines.

Vaccines using mRNA technology are readily amenable to antigenic drift and shift in influenza strains, allowing for rapid deployment of vaccines. In addition, mRNA-based platforms allow for the expression of multiple antigens, raising the possibility for an increased breadth of protective responses against seasonal influenza or multiple respiratory diseases.

However, approved cell-based influenza vaccines, such as Flucelvax® Quadrivalent (QIVc), currently produce an exact antigenic match for circulating flu trains.

Further, based on findings with mRNA-1273, an mRNA-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, mRNA vaccines may also induce strong cellular immune responses and prolonged germinal center reactions that can improve protection in older adults, a population at particular risk for infection and severe outcomes. 

While mRNA-1010 had an acceptable safety profile in this trial, transient solicited adverse reactions were more common after mRNA-1010 than with the active comparator.

Additional clinical trials are ongoing to assess further this vaccine candidate's safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity and a licensed influenza vaccine comparator (NCT05566639 and NCT05415462).

Moderna, Inc. was involved in the study design, data collection and analysis, and the writing of this manuscript. Moderna funded this study.