Single vaccine against COVID-19 and influenza has promising results

The Butantan Institute considers the first results of a study carried out with the single vaccine against COVID-19 and the flu in animals as promising, since preliminary trials have shown the immunizer produces antibodies against the flu virus and SARS-CoV-2.

According to the institute, trials of the single vaccine in humans can begin within a year. Currently, the immunizer has been tested only in animals. After immunization, they have produced antibodies reacting to the three strains of the influenza virus (H1N1, H3N2 and B), as well as the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

The vaccine includes ButanVac - an immunizer produced by Butantan against COVID-19, which is being evaluated in clinical trials and shall be produced in Brazil, and the influenza vaccine, also produced by the institute and currently used by the Brazilian National Immunization Program (PNI).

Butantan´s Director of Production Ricardo Oliveira explained in a note released by the institute, the studies are still initial and are in the so-called proof of concept phase, when the results of analyzes carried out on non-human samples are collected. However, given the positive developments, he sees the possibility of starting clinical trials in humans within a year.

“What makes the process easier is that we are mixing products well known by Butantan: the influenza vaccine - which we have known for many years, and ButanVac - which despite being recent uses the same platform as influenza,” Oliveira explained.

According to the director, researchers are studying the interaction, carrying out stability exams, and the first results are positive.