A New Zealand company has begun testing a combination flu vaccine

A medical institute in Wellington is testing a combination vaccine against influenza and the Covid-19 virus.

Richard Stubbs, managing director of B3 Research, believes the combination vaccine will ease the workload on health services.

Stubbs said Morning report The goal was to make things as convenient as possible for both healthcare professionals and patients.

“It’s a long process, and more and more knowledge is gained with all new treatment programs.

“We know flu vaccines are effective, we know Covid vaccines are effective, and we know they can be given together, but we don’t know the optimal doses.”

The trial is taking place at nine different sites in New Zealand and several in Australia, and involves 1,600 people in both countries, all of whom have good reputations for clinical trials, Stubbs said.

People participating in the trial will be tested five times and undergo a long process including medical tests, he said.

“It’s a well-organized process, and a lot of things are designed so that people know what they need and feel comfortable with any or all of the security aspects of the experience, so it’s not a rushed process.”

Stubbs predicts that flu and Covid vaccines will be available together in a year or two.

-RNZ