On Friday, the European Medicines Agency issued a recommendation for approval of a vaccine based on messenger RNA technology, which is produced by Moderna. This measure paves the way for the introduction of the first combination vaccine aimed at protecting individuals aged 50 years and over from both Covid and seasonal influenza, through a single dose.
The agency explained that the “MCombriax” vaccine works in a mechanism similar to other vaccines, as it stimulates the body to develop immunity that enables it to resist infection.
Marketing recommendation
The vaccine contains messenger RNA, which stimulates the production of proteins found in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as some strains of influenza.
The recommendation was based on the results of a study that included 8,000 participants, which showed that individuals who received the “MCombriax” vaccine developed antibodies at higher levels compared to those who received the traditional influenza vaccine available on the market, in addition to the “Spikevax” vaccine produced by Moderna and intended to combat Covid-19.
The agency indicated that, similar to the current vaccines used against Covid-19 and influenza, the “MCombriax” formula is expected to be updated periodically to keep pace with the circulating virus strains.
The European Commission is currently reviewing the agency’s recommendation in preparation for issuing final approval for marketing the vaccine throughout the European Union.
