USC Clinical Trials will soon begin an Australian-first study in South East Queensland to assess an investigational combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine.

For this study, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will be combined with an influenza vaccine candidate, NanoFlu^TM, to provide a two-in-one immunisation. The trial will take place at USC clinics in Brisbane, Moreton Bay and on the Sunshine Coast.

The study will assess the level of immune response of participants to both vaccine candidates when received alone and when combined, and USC Clinical Trials is seeking healthy volunteers aged 50-70 to take part in this research.

Dr Nischal Sahai will oversee the study at USC Clinical Trials’ newest site at South Bank, close to Brisbane’s CBD, that will start in several weeks.

“This combined protein-based influenza and COVID-19 vaccine candidate is expected to have some important advantages over existing vaccines,” Dr Sahai said.

“We are initially targeting older adults for this study because this population bears a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality for both influenza and COVID-19.”

USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka said this was the first time in Australia that a COVID-19 vaccine had been combined with an influenza vaccine to present a ‘single jab’ delivery approach.

 “We can see the merits of combining vaccines that may require an annual schedule of delivery, and hope people who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 can see the value in participating,” he said.

“This trial will build on USC Clinical Trials’ research partnership with US-headquartered vaccine manufacturer Novavax. It will be our third COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial overall and the second study involving Novavax’s vaccine candidate.” 

The study will require participants to attend one of USC Clinical Trials’ three clinics across South East Queensland up to eight times over six months.

Eligible participants will be paid for their time involved in the study. Those interested in applying can find more information here.