Each vaccine strengthens the immune defenses against the infections it targets. But the development of a single vaccine, in the near future, against influenza and Covid-19 is eagerly awaited by the professionals contacted by “Le Matin”. This is a solution that could respond to current and future public health issues, among others.
The new challenge for health systems around the world is not only to find epidemiologically effective remedies, to achieve high levels of protection against circulating viruses, but also to strengthen the immune response of patients. And if the solution lies, among other things, in the implementation of combined vaccines which will act on several types of virus at the same time, in particular the development of a single vaccine mixing a booster against Covid-19 and a dose against flu. For Dr Tayeb Hamdi, doctor and researcher in health policies and systems, the idea of a combined vaccine that protects against both Covid-19 and seasonal flu infections is not new: several laboratories have been working on this track for several months. like Moderna and Novavax. But the question that arises is whether the research initiated by these pharmaceutical companies will give rise to a mixed Covid / flu vaccine which will be marketed in the near future.
“It’s difficult to answer clearly with a precise date,” replies Dr. Hamdi. But what is certain, according to him, is that “Covid-19 will continue to cause problems and create surprises and changes in the coming months. Experts believe that from 2023, the coronavirus will become seasonal and people at risk of severity, in the first place the elderly and vulnerable, will certainly need in addition to the annual booster vaccination against seasonal influenza, a annual reminder against Covid-19. Groups at risk of exposure such as health professionals will also need a reminder of the anti-Covid vaccine, the deadlines for which will depend on the profile of each according to their age and health conditions, in addition to the annual reminder against the flu”, advocates Dr. Hamdi, without however denying that “an injection that includes both vaccines is practical and suitable for preventing both infections. And to add that such a solution can have many advantages, insofar as it would make it possible to simplify the act of injection, to widen the field of vaccination and to promote compliance with medical recommendations by the target population. “.
Our source did not fail to note that laboratories are working, in parallel, on combined vaccines which would include other antigens against other respiratory diseases in addition to influenza and Covid-19. The protection of the most vulnerable, an emergency Aware of the importance of ongoing research, Pr Jaafar Heikel, epidemiologist, professor of preventive medicine and specialist in infectious diseases, believes that “post-infection immunity and post-vaccination immunity means that we’ve almost gone to endemic status. On the other hand, from the fall, there should be a vaccine against seasonal flu and Sars-CoV-2, probably for the vulnerable and the elderly. Obviously when it is possible, it will be very beneficial”. Contacted by us, Pr Heikel was also optimistic about the creation of this two-in-one injection which would make it possible to fight against the two pathologies at the same time. “Probably next year, we will have a vaccine against seasonal flu and against Sars-CoV-2 with one, two or probably three variants which would be in circulation. I would not be surprised to see mixed vaccines or bivalent, trivalent, quadrivalent vaccines which would contain different seasonal flu/Covid viral strains”, he rejoices. Nevertheless, what is important to remember today, according to our interlocutor, is knowing how to live with the disease. “We are facing an endemic phase where we are forced to adapt to it by remaining vigilant and attentive and by reinforcing protective measures when necessary, without stress and without psychosis”, recommends the specialist. The infectiologist also emphasized the need to protect vulnerable people as much as possible, people over the age of 65, people with a chronic disease and those who suffer from depression of their immune system.