The most recently discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may cause illness in humans ranging from the common cold to serious illness, also referred to as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of January 2021, there are only few authorized vaccines available for the prevention of COVID-19. "CVnCoV" is a new SARS-CoV-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine which is currently being developed for the prevention of COVID-19. The vaccine contains a molecule called mRNA which serves as an instruction manual for the cells in the body to produce a piece of protein from SARS-CoV-2 which activates the body´s defense system. The "CVnCoV" vaccine is injected into the muscle. After the injection, the body recognizes the protein as something that does not belong there. In this way the natural infection with the virus is imitated. The body activates immune cells to produce antibodies against the virus and creates specific immune cells called T cells. "CVnCoV" is given in two doses separated by 28 days. In this study, the researchers will look at how well "CVnCoV" works when the first of the two doses is given together with a flu vaccine called seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV). They will also look at how well the flu vaccine works under these conditions. The QIV is injected into the muscle and is given as 1 dose. To see how well the participants' immune systems is activated by "CVnCoV" and QIV, the researches will measure the levels of specific antibodies against the viruses in the blood. Antibodies are proteins that allow the immune system to find and react to bacteria and viruses in the body. The researches will look into how safe the vaccination is and which type and degree of typical vaccination reactions are seen. To give "CVnCoV" and the flu vaccine together in the future when needed, e.g. during the flu season, would reduce the burden on the health system and on the patients. Participants in this study are adults aged 60 years and older. In this study, participants are assigned to one of the two parallel groups of the same size. The assignment to either group is done by chance via a computer program. Participants in group 1 (Co-ad group) will receive CVnCoV at the same visit as QIV. Participants in group 2 (control group) will receive QIV and CVnCoV at two different visits. The Co-ad group will receive the first dose of CVnCoV and a dose of QIV in opposite arms at Day 1, the second dose of CVnCoV at Day 29, and a placebo injection, i.e. an injection that looks like a vaccination injection but does not contain vaccine, at Day 57. The control group will receive QIV and placebo in opposite arms at Day 1, the first dose of CVnCoV at day 29 and the second dose of CVnCoV at Day 57. There will be five visits and four phone calls. During the study, the study team will take blood samples on four occasions to measure the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and nasopharyngeal swabs at 1 occasion. The physicians will do physical examinations at each visit. The participants will be asked how they are feeling and if they have any medical problems. They will, in addition, receive an electronic Diary to report medical problems.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Two intramuscular injections administered 28 days apart at a dose level of 12 μg mRNA.
One intramuscular injection as 0.5 mL. Each 0.5 mL dose will contain 15 μg haemagglutinin (HA) from each of the four influenza strains.
One intramuscular injection as normal saline \[0.9% NaCl\].
Antibody titers for SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)
Time frame: 28 days after the second dose of CVnCoV
Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers for each of the 4 strains
Time frame: 28 days after the QIV vaccination
Number of participants seroconverting for SARS-CoV- 2 spike protein antibodies
Measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Time frame: 28 days after the second dose of CVnCoV
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific antibody levels in serum
Measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Time frame: 28 days after the second dose of CVnCoV
Number of participants seroconverting for SARS-CoV- 2 neutralizing antibodies
Measured by an activity assay.
Time frame: 28 days after the second dose of CVnCoV
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels in serum
Time frame: 28 days after the second dose of CVnCoV
Number of participants with seroprotection for serum antibodies against the 4 influenza vaccine strains
Measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay.
Time frame: 28 days after the QIV dose
Number of participants seroconverting for serum antibodies against the 4 influenza vaccine strains
Measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay.
Time frame: 28 days after the QIV dose
Serum antibody titers against the 4 influenza vaccine strains
Measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay.
Time frame: 28 days after the QIV dose
Number of participants with solicited local adverse events (AEs) of CVnCoV vaccine
Time frame: Within 7 days after each study vaccination
Number of participants with solicited systemic AEs
Time frame: Within 7 days after each study vaccination
Number of participants with unsolicited AEs
Time frame: Within 28 days after each study vaccination
Number of participants with serious adverse event (SAEs)
Time frame: Approximately 60 weeks
Number of participants with adverse event of special interest (AESIs)
Time frame: Approximately 60 weeks
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