2-in-1 vaccine
Moderna's shares have increased dramatically after the announcement of the development of a comprehensive booster vaccine that simultaneously protects against new strains of the COVID-19 virus and seasonal influenza strains, as well as studies on cancer vaccines.
Moderna shares are up 336.4% since the start of 2021 and more than 700% in the past 12 months. Moderna's main competitors in COVID-19 vaccine sales: Pfizer (PFE) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) shares were down 1% and 2.2% respectively at the close of trading on Thursday.
Novavax (NVAX), which has not yet received US approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, said it was also conducting a study to test a combination flu and COVID-19 vaccine.
The combined vaccine is being created because the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that it is likely that the COVID-19 virus will not be eradicated completely and people will need to be vaccinated annually against the coronavirus, as they are currently vaccinated against seasonal strains of influenza.
According to WHO officials, the virus has spread and mutated too widely, so the current programme of twice-daily vaccinations will not be enough to eradicate COVID-19.
At the same time, WHO has now imposed a moratorium on the use of repeat booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines until at least the end of the year.
The WHO justified this decision by the fact that "little has changed in the world situation" and it is necessary "for each country to be able to vaccinate at least 40% of its population at least until the end of the year".
Nevertheless, this measure is temporary and the world population does seem to be facing annual re-vaccination against these dangerous viral infections.
Moderna has seen an incredible increase in sales and profits from its COVID vaccines, which, according to research, build stronger and longer-lasting immunity in older people and have greater efficacy against the Delta strain than counterparts from Pfizer and BioNTech (BNTX).
Moderna said that it currently has: 37 programmes in development, including 22 in clinical trials.
Vaccine sales will generate steadily growing revenues and profits for Moderna and its shareholders.
