Researchers begin trial of combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine

KPWHRI is recruiting Kaiser Permanente Washington members to take part

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) is starting a clinical trial of a combination COVID-19 and flu vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The trial, taking place at KPWHRI and other research sites across the United States, will evaluate whether the combination vaccine is safe and can help the body produce antibodies against both viruses.

“COVID-19 and flu continue to be major public health concerns — and this year’s flu season has been the worst in over a decade,” said KPWHRI Senior Investigator Lisa Jackson, MD, who is overseeing the trial at the institute. “Vaccines for both viruses are recommended in the fall of each year, but they are given as separate shots. A single vaccine could make it easier and more convenient for people to be protected against these viruses.”

Participants in the trial will receive 1 of the following 6 vaccines at their first study visit. They will not know which vaccine they are given (this will be randomly determined by a computer).

• A licensed COVID-19 vaccine 
• A licensed flu vaccine 
• An investigational COVID-19 vaccine (“investigational” means a vaccine has been approved for use in clinical studies but is not yet licensed for use in the general public)
• An investigational flu vaccine 
• A combination investigational flu and investigational COVID-19 vaccine 
• A combination investigational flu and licensed COVID-19 vaccine 

After receiving their study vaccine at their first visit, participants will have 3 follow-up visits over the next 6 months. All visits will involve a blood draw. Participants will receive $180 for each of the 4 study visits they complete. They will also be asked to answer questions in a phone app every evening for at least 7 days after getting their study vaccine and will receive $60 for completing all days of questions. All study visits will be at KPWHRI’s research clinic in downtown Seattle.

How to take part in the trial

KPWHRI is enrolling healthy Kaiser Permanente Washington members who: 

• Are 18 years of age or older
• Have not tested positive for the flu in the last 6 months
• Do not have a history of severe allergic reactions associated with any vaccine 
• Have not received a flu or COVID-19 vaccine in the last 5 months (if you have had a recent vaccine and are interested, you may be able to enroll later, as the trial will continue for several months)

To learn more about taking part, please email KPWA.vaccine@kp.org with your full name and date of birth and the best phone number and time to reach you.

By Sophie Ramsey