Pfizer begins study of mRNA flu vaccine

Sept 27 (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said on Monday it had dosed the first patient in a trial testing a flu vaccine based on messenger RNA, the same technology used in the COVID-19 shots made by the U.S. drugmaker and BioNTech .

The early-stage trial, conducted in the United States, will test the vaccine in healthy adults ages 65- 85.

“The COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to deliver on the immense scientific opportunity of mRNA. Influenza remains an area where we see a need for vaccines,” said Kathrin Jansen, head of vaccine research and development at Pfizer.

The study will test the safety and immune responses of the vaccine, compared to another FDA-approved influenza vaccine.

Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli

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