This company is developing a combined COVID / flu vaccination

A growing body of data suggests that the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine may decrease over time. This has led researchers and health professionals to consider the possibility of an annual COVID-19 booster shot that we will likely have to use for a long time. According to Reuters, Moderna is the first company to start work on a combination booster with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Why develop a COVID-19 and influenza booster? Because both of them are respiratory viruses, and we really managed to increase their incidence during the winter months, especially when we drove indoors, ”said Moderna’s senior vice president at the company’s annual R&D meeting.

RELATED: Can You Get The Flu Shot And The COVID-19 Vaccine At The Same Time?

Photo from CDC via Unsplash

A combination vaccination could be an incredibly convenient way to get both vaccinations out of the way while encouraging those who don’t prioritize the flu vaccinations to get them, as COVID-19 is an urgent concern for the majority of people.

Combination vaccines are widely used and mainly used in children. Their existence helps people get their syringes without feeling overwhelmed, as getting one syringe is much more calming and less painful than getting three different ones. They are also safe because they have been used for decades and, like any other vaccine approved in the US, would need to go through a testing phase

The world has tunneled vision for COVID-19 and forgets that there are other diseases. At the start of the flu season, it is important to try the best to avoid this disease as it is very dangerous, especially when hospitals have more traffic than usual due to the pandemic.

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If tracked and approved, the Moderna combo shot will likely take some time to become available. In the meantime, it’s important to get the flu vaccine whenever possible and your COVID-19 booster shot when you are able and the government allows.