What's happened
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have developed two innovative vaccine approaches aimed at improving flu protection. Meanwhile, Moderna's new combo shot for COVID-19 and flu shows stronger immune responses in older adults, though its approval has been delayed by the FDA.
What's behind the headline?
Overview
The development of new vaccine strategies is crucial in the ongoing battle against influenza and COVID-19.
Key Points
- University of Hong Kong's Research: The two novel vaccine approaches aim to provide long-lasting immunity, potentially reducing the need for annual flu shots. The first method involves genetic modifications to enhance immune responses, while the second alters the virus's genetic code to hinder replication.
- Moderna's Combo Shot: This vaccine combines protection against COVID-19 and flu, showing promising results in older adults. However, its approval has been postponed as the FDA seeks more efficacy data.
Implications
- Public Health Impact: If successful, these vaccines could significantly improve vaccination rates and public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Future Research: Ongoing studies will be essential to validate these findings and ensure safety and efficacy before widespread implementation.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed two innovative vaccine approaches that could lead to a new flu jab with long-lasting effects. Professor Leo Poon highlighted that these vaccines may reduce the need for annual vaccinations, as they showed satisfactory immune responses in mice against various influenza strains.
In contrast, AP News reported on Moderna's new combo shot, which demonstrated a stronger immune response against COVID-19 and flu in older adults compared to existing standalone vaccines. However, Dr. Greg Poland from Mayo Clinic expressed skepticism about the popularity of such a combo shot, emphasizing the challenges of timing vaccinations for seasonal flu and ongoing COVID-19 spread. Moderna has delayed its vaccine approval target to 2026, responding to FDA requests for more direct efficacy measures.
How we got here
Recent advancements in vaccine technology have led to new approaches for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The University of Hong Kong's research focuses on long-lasting immunity, while Moderna explores mRNA technology for a combined vaccine.
Go deeper
- What are the benefits of the new vaccine approaches?
- How does Moderna's combo shot work?
- What are the implications for public health?
More on these topics
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The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments.
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Moderna is an American biotechnology company focused on drug discovery, drug development, and vaccine technologies based exclusively on messenger RNA. It is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.