An mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine in adults: Results of two phase 3 randomized clinical trials and correlate of protection analysis of hemagglutination inhibition titers

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2484088. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2484088. Epub 2025 Apr 2.

Abstract

The safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the original formulation of the investigational mRNA-1010 vaccine for seasonal influenza were investigated in two randomized, active-controlled, phase 3 trials in adults (NCT05415462 and NCT05566639), and the results were used to evaluate hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers as correlates of risk and protection against influenza-like illness. mRNA-1010 (50-µg) demonstrated an acceptable reactogenicity and safety profile among the >14,000 adult participants vaccinated in both trials. The efficacy profile of mRNA-1010 was generally reflective of immunogenicity findings, with higher immune responses against influenza A strains and lower responses against influenza B strains relative to an active comparator (licensed inactivated influenza vaccine). An analysis of HAI titers as a correlate of protection against influenza infection provided support for its use as a surrogate endpoint for mRNA-1010, similar to licensed influenza vaccines. These findings support further optimization and development of mRNA-1010 against seasonal influenza.

Keywords: Seasonal influenza; correlate of protection; immunogenicity; mRNA vaccine; reactogenicity; safety.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral* / blood
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Influenza B virus / immunology
  • Influenza Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Influenza Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • Influenza Vaccines* / immunology
  • Influenza, Human* / immunology
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger* / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / adverse effects
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vaccines, Synthetic