Oral Tablet Influenza Vaccine Shows Promising Results

An investigational H1 influenza oral tablet vaccine was found to provide similar protection against influenza as an injectable quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in a Phase 2 clinical trial. 

The trial participants were randomized to receive either a single dose of Vaxart oral tablet vaccine and a placebo intramuscular injection, a QIV injection plus a placebo tablet, or a double placebo. 

They were challenged intranasally with homologous A strain influenza virus 90–120 days after vaccination. Laboratory-confirmed homologous influenza A infections were compared among the groups. 

Results showed that the tablet vaccine provided a 39% reduction in clinical disease relative to placebo, compared to a 27% reduction with injectable QIV. The tablet also demonstrated a safety profile similar to placebo. 

“These results provide clinical proof-of-concept for Vaxart’s groundbreaking oral tablet vaccine technology,” said Wouter Latour, MD, MBA, CEO of Vaxart, in a press release. “A convenient and effective tablet vaccine could significantly increase current vaccination rates and generate important public health benefits for at-risk groups and the population as a whole.” 

Reference

Vaxart announces positive topline results for it oral tablet vaccine in phase 2 influenza challenge study [press release]. San Francisco, California: Vaxart. Published October 26, 2017. Accessed November 6, 2017.

This article originally appeared on MPR