Health
Pfizer, BioNTech Covid-Flu Combo Shot Misses on Trial Goal
- Pfizer looking to close the gap left by Covid shot decline
- Combo vaccine failed to measure up in influenza B response
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A combination Covid-flu vaccination developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE missed on one of its goals in a final-stage trial, a setback for the companies as they search for lucrative new uses of a technology that succeeded in the pandemic.
The vaccine failed to show it was at least as effective as a standard shot in generating an immune response against the influenza B strain, the companies said in a statement Friday. The shot performed better with influenza A and Covid. Pfizer said the two companies are looking into tweaks to the vaccine that might boost its effectiveness against influenza B, work that could put them years behind rival drugmakers.