Fact checked byJohn C. Schoen, MA

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October 10, 2023
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Top in ID: Moderna flu/COVID-19 combo vaccine advances; FDA OKs updated Novavax vaccine

Fact checked byJohn C. Schoen, MA
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Moderna is set to begin a phase 3 trial of its influenza and COVID-19 combination vaccine after seeing immune responses similar to existing influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

The phase 3 trial will test the combination vaccine in adults aged 50 years or older. Moderna is aiming to apply for regulatory approval in 2025.

Woman receiving a vaccine
Moderna’s influenza and COVID-19 combination vaccine has advanced to phase 3 testing, according to the company. Image: Adobe Stock

It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

The second top story was about the FDA emergency use authorization of Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents and adults, which was designed to protect against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 but have not received an updated messenger RNA vaccine may receive one dose of the Novavax vaccine. Those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine should receive two doses of the Novavax vaccine.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

Moderna sees positive results from combo vaccine against COVID-19, flu

Moderna said its messenger RNA-based combination vaccine against influenza and COVID-19 elicited neutralizing antibody levels that were as high — or higher — than existing vaccines in a phase 1/2 trial. Read more.

FDA authorizes Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine

The FDA authorized Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in adolescents and adults, giving the country a third vaccine option heading into the fall and winter respiratory diseases season. Read more.

Rat lungworm found in another US state

Researchers confirmed that rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, has established a presence in Georgia, adding to the states where the invasive parasite has been identified. Read more.

‘Now we have two’: WHO recommends second malaria vaccine

WHO recommended the widespread use of a second vaccine for the prevention of malaria in children, called R21. Read more.

RSV more severe than COVID-19, flu in older adults, CDC data show

Fewer older adults are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus than COVID-19 or influenza, but those who are experience more serious outcomes than patients hospitalized with the other two illnesses, new CDC data show. Read more.