Moderna developing single-dose booster shot for Covid-19 and flu

[BENGALURU] Moderna Inc said on Thursday it was developing a single-dose vaccine that combines a booster dose against Covid-19 and a booster against flu.

"Our number one priority as a company right now is to bring to market a pan-respiratory annual booster vaccine, which we plan to always customise and upgrade," chief executive officer Stéphane Bancel said during Moderna's R&D day.

The company provided updates on its ongoing mid-stage trial testing its authorised Covid-19 vaccine in children aged six months to less than 12 years.

Moderna's vaccine, which received its emergency authorisation for people aged 18 and older in the United States in December, is currently under a Food and Drug Administration review for use in adolescents.

As part of the paediatric trial, the company said it will test 50 micrograms of its vaccine in a study group of 4,000 children between six years and less than 12 years.

Moderna said dose selection studies for different age groups such as two years to less than six years, and six months to below two years age groups, were still underway.

REUTERS