Strong CD4+ T-Cell Responses to Ancestral and Variant Spike Proteins Are Established by NVX-CoV2373 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Primary Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: NVX-CoV2373 is an efficacious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine comprising full-length recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (rS) glycoprotein and Matrix-M adjuvant. Phase 2 of a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial in healthy adults (18-84 years of age) previously reported good safety/tolerability and robust humoral immunogenicity. METHODS: Participants were randomized to placebo or 1 or 2 doses of 5-µg or 25-µg rS with 50 µg Matrix-M adjuvant 21 days apart. CD4+ T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 intact S or pooled peptide stimulation (with ancestral or variant S sequences) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and intracellular cytokine staining. RESULTS: A clearly discernable spike antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell response was induced after 1 dose, but markedly enhanced after 2 doses. Counts and fold increases in cells producing Th1 cytokines exceeded those secreting Th2 cytokines, although both phenotypes were clearly present. Interferon-γ responses to rS were detected in 93.5% of 2-dose 5-µg recipients. A polyfunctional CD4+ T-cell response was cross-reactive and of equivalent magnitude to all tested variants, including Omicron BA.1/BA.5. CONCLUSIONS: NVX-CoV2373 elicits a moderately Th1-biased CD4+ T-cell response that is cross-reactive with ancestral and variant S proteins after 2 doses. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04368988.

Immunogenicity and safety of heterologous Omicron BA.1 and bivalent SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein booster vaccines: a phase 3, randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Mutations present in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants permit evasion of neutralization with prototype vaccines. A novel Omicron BA.1 subvariant-specific vaccine (NVX-CoV2515) was tested alone, or as a bivalent preparation in combination with the prototype vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), to assess antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Participants aged 18 to 64 years immunized with 3 doses of prototype mRNA vaccines were randomized 1:1:1 to receive a single dose of NVX-CoV2515, NVX-CoV2373, or bivalent mixture in a phase 3 study investigating heterologous boosting with SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccines. Immunogenicity was measured 14 and 28 days after vaccination for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 sublineage and ancestral strain. Safety profiles of vaccines were assessed. RESULTS: Of participants who received trial vaccine (N = 829), those administered NVX-CoV2515 (n = 286) demonstrated superior neutralizing antibody response to BA.1 versus NVX-CoV2373 (n = 274) at Day 14 (geometric mean titer ratio [95% CI]: 1.6 [1.33, 2.03]). Seroresponse rates [n/N; 95% CI] were 73.4% [91/124; 64.7, 80.9] for NVX-CoV2515 versus 50.9% [59/116; 41.4, 60.3] for NVX-CoV2373. All formulations were similarly well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: NVX-CoV2515 elicited a superior neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron BA.1 subvariant compared with NVX-CoV2373 when administered as a fourth dose. Safety data were consistent with the established safety profile of NVX-CoV2373.

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca.

Different dose regimens of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) in younger and older adults: A phase 2 randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: NVX-CoV2373 is a recombinant severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (rSARS-CoV-2) nanoparticle vaccine composed of trimeric full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins and Matrix-M1 adjuvant. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The phase 2 component of our randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1 to 2 trial was designed to identify which dosing regimen of NVX-CoV2373 should move forward into late-phase studies and was based on immunogenicity and safety data through Day 35 (14 days after the second dose). The trial was conducted at 9 sites in Australia and 8 sites in the United States. Participants in 2 age groups (aged 18 to 59 and 60 to 84 years) were randomly assigned to receive either 1 or 2 intramuscular doses of 5-µg or 25-µg NVX-CoV2373 or placebo, 21 days apart. Primary endpoints were immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-spike protein response, 7-day solicited reactogenicity, and unsolicited adverse events. A key secondary endpoint was wild-type virus neutralizing antibody response. After enrollment, 1,288 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 vaccine groups or placebo, with 1,283 participants administered at least 1 study treatment. Of these, 45% were older participants 60 to 84 years. Reactogenicity was predominantly mild to moderate in severity and of short duration (median <3 days) after first and second vaccination with NVX-CoV2373, with higher frequencies and intensity after second vaccination and with the higher dose. Reactogenicity occurred less frequently and was of lower intensity in older participants. Both 2-dose regimens of 5-µg and 25-µg NVX-CoV2373 induced robust immune responses in younger and older participants. For the 2-dose regimen of 5 µg, geometric mean titers (GMTs) for IgG anti-spike protein were 65,019 (95% confidence interval (CI) 55,485 to 76,192) and 28,137 (95% CI 21,617 to 36,623) EU/mL and for wild-type virus neutralizing antibody (with an inhibitory concentration of 50%-MN50%) were 2,201 (95% CI 1,343 to 3,608) and 981 (95% CI 560 to 1,717) titers for younger and older participants, respectively, with seroconversion rates of 100% in both age groups. Neutralizing antibody responses exceeded those seen in a panel of convalescent sera for both age groups. Study limitations include the relatively short duration of safety follow-up to date and current lack of immune persistence data beyond the primary vaccination regimen time point assessments, but these data will accumulate over time. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the phase 1 findings that the 2-dose regimen of 5-µg NVX-CoV2373 is highly immunogenic and well tolerated in younger adults. In addition, in older adults, the 2-dose regimen of 5 µg was also well tolerated and showed sufficient immunogenicity to support its use in late-phase efficacy studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04368988.

Evaluation of MEDI8852, an Anti-Influenza A Monoclonal Antibody, in Treating Acute Uncomplicated Influenza.

We evaluated MEDI8852, a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds a highly conserved influenza A hemagglutinin stalk epitope, in outpatients with uncomplicated influenza A infection. A total of 126 subjects aged 18 to 65 years were enrolled during the 2015 to 2016 Northern and 2016 Southern Hemisphere seasons. Subjects with symptom onset ≤5 days before dosing were randomized to four cohorts: 750 mg (cohort 1) or 3,000 mg (cohort 2) MEDI8852 (single intravenous infusion) plus 75 mg oseltamivir, placebo plus 75 mg oseltamivir (cohort 3), and 3,000 mg MEDI8852 alone (cohort 4). Subjects were monitored through day 10 for solicited influenza symptoms, day 28 for adverse events (AEs), and day 101 for serious AEs and AEs of special interest. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected through day 7 for confirmation of influenza A infection, viral shedding, and oseltamivir and MEDI8852 susceptibility. Slightly more AEs were reported in subjects receiving MEDI8852 (cohorts 1, 2, and 4 combined: 39/93, 41.9%) than oseltamivir only (cohort 3: 10/32, 31.3%). Most AEs were mild or moderate. The most common AE was bronchitis (11/93, 11.8%; 1/32, 3.1%). The median (range) decrease in viral shedding (log10 virus genome copies/ml) was similar between the two groups (-3.58 [-6.2. 0.5]; -3.43 [-5.9, 0.9]). Genotypic analyses found a limited number of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase amino acid changes between viruses isolated before and after therapy; however, none appeared within a known oseltamivir-resistant site or MEDI8852-binding region. The safety profile of MEDI8852 supports its continued development for treatment of patients hospitalized with influenza A infection. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02603952.).

A phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of MEDI8852, an anti-influenza A monoclonal antibody, in healthy adult volunteers.

MEDI8852 is an IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that is being developed to treat patients hospitalized with influenza A. We evaluated the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and anti-drug antibodies (ADA) of a single intravenous dose of MEDI8852 in healthy adult volunteers (NCT02350751). Forty subjects were randomized to receive either MEDI8852 (250, 750, 1,500, or 3000 mg) (n = 32) or placebo (n = 8) on day 1. Dose escalation was based on cumulative safety data through day 8. Subjects were followed through day 101 for safety, pharmacokinetics, and ADA. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were comparable (37.5%; 37.5%); all TEAEs were mild (grade 1) or moderate (grade 2) in severity. The most frequently reported TEAEs were headache (9.4%, 12.5%) and hypoglycemia (12.5%, 12.5%); all subjects with hypoglycemia were asymptomatic and did not require treatment. No subjects discontinued the study due to a TEAE. Mean area under the curve from time 0 to last sampling time point, area under the curve from time 0 to infinity, and observed maximum concentration for MEDI8852 were dose proportional. The terminal half-life ranged from 19.4 to 22.6 days. No ADAs were detected. A population pharmacokinetic model demonstrated good concentration separation between the 750- and 3000-mg dose groups.

Evaluation of the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Candidate Pandemic Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (pLAIV) Against Influenza A(H7N9).

BACKGROUND: We evaluated a candidate A/Anhui/2013(H7N9) pandemic live attenuated influenza vaccine (pLAIV) in healthy adults, and assessed the ability of 1 or 2 doses to induce immune memory. METHODS: Healthy subjects in 2 age groups (18-49 years and 50-70 years) with undetectable hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody to H7N9 were enrolled. Younger subjects received either 1 or 2 intranasal doses of 10(7.0) fluorescent focus units of A/Anhui/1/2013 pLAIV, while older subjects received a single dose. All subjects received a single 30-µg dose of unadjuvanted, antigenically matched A/Shanghai2/2013(H7N9) pandemic inactivated influenza vaccine (pIIV) 12 weeks after their first dose of pLAIV. RESULTS: Both vaccines were well tolerated. Serum HAI antibody responses were detected in 0 of 32 younger subjects and 1 of 17 older subjects after 1 dose of pLAIV and in 2 of 16 younger subjects after a second dose. Strong serum antibody responses were detected after a single subsequent dose of pIIV that was broadly reactive against H7 influenza viruses. CONCLUSIONS: An A(H7N9) pLAIV candidate was safe in both age groups. Priming with pLAIV resulted in responses to subsequent pIIV that exceeded those seen in naive subjects in previous reports. The A(H7N9) pLAIV induces strong immune memory that can be demonstrated by exposure to subsequent antigenic challenge. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01995695 and NCT02274545.

Safety and immunogenicity of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine as a booster in adults previously vaccinated with the BBIBP-CorV vaccine.

This phase 3 observer-blind, randomized, controlled study was conducted in adults ≥18 years of age to assess the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 as a heterologous booster compared to BBIBP-CorV when utilized as a homologous booster. Approximately 1000 participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a single dose of NVX-CoV2373 or BBIBP-CorV after prior vaccination with 2 or 3 doses of BBIBP-CorV. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were collected for 7 days after vaccination. Unsolicited AEs were collected for 28 days following the booster dose and serious adverse and adverse events of special interest (AESI) were collected throughout the study. Anti-spike IgG and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were measured at baseline, day 14, day 28, and day 180. The study achieved its primary non-inferiority endpoint and also demonstrated statistically higher neutralization responses when NVX-CoV2373 was utilized as a heterologous booster compared with BBIBP-CorV as a homologous booster. Both vaccines had an acceptably low reactogenicity profile, and no new safety concerns were found. Heterologous boosting with NVX-CoV2373 was a highly immunogenic and safe vaccine regimen in those previously vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV.

Immunogenicity and safety of a bivalent (omicron BA.5 plus ancestral) SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine as a heterologous booster dose: interim analysis of a phase 3, non-inferiority, randomised, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 variants evade immunity despite vaccination with prototype COVID-19 vaccines or previous infection. The 2019nCoV-311 (part 2) study is evaluating immune responses after two booster doses of a vaccine containing the omicron BA.5 subvariant spike protein in adults previously vaccinated with a prototype mRNA vaccine. This interim analysis reports on day 28 immunogenicity and safety outcomes after one booster dose. METHODS: In this phase 3, randomised, observer-blinded study conducted at 35 sites in Australia, medically stable, previously COVID-19-vaccinated (mRNA-based; ≥three doses) adults aged 18 years or older were enrolled and randomly allocated (1:1:1; via an interactive web response system) to receive two doses of bivalent (NVX-CoV2373 + NVX-CoV2540; bivalent group), authorised prototype (NVX-CoV2373; prototype group), or BA.5 (NVX-CoV2540; BA.5 group) vaccine. Only blinded personnel performed study assessments or had participant contact to collect data after study vaccination. Participants received vaccines containing 5 µg SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein and 50 µg Matrix-M adjuvant, administered via a 0·5 mL intramuscular injection (2·5 µg of NVX-CoV2373 plus 2·5 µg of NVX-CoV2540 for the bivalent vaccine, prepared on-site as a 1:1 mixture). The coprimary endpoints include day 28 neutralising antibody geometric mean titre (GMT) ratios (GMTRs) to omicron BA.5 and the ancestral strain, and seroresponse rates to BA.5, in the bivalent and prototype groups. These endpoints were calculated in the per-protocol analysis set, which was defined as participants who had received a vaccine dose, had baseline and day 28 immunogenicity data, and were PCR-negative for SARS-CoV-2, with no major protocol deviations. The primary objective was to determine the primary outcome (antibody responses), which consisted of three comparisons: superiority of the bivalent versus prototype vaccine for neutralising antibody GMT to BA.5 (ie, lower bound of the GMTR 95% CI >1·0); non-inferiority of neutralising antibody seroresponse rate to BA.5 (ie, lower bound of the seroresponse rate 95% CI >-5%); and non-inferiority of neutralising antibody GMT to the ancestral strain (ie, lower bound of GMTR 95% CI >0·67). This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT05372588. FINDINGS: Between March 22, 2023 and May 2, 2023, 837 participants were screened for eligibility and 766 were randomly allocated to receive the BA.5 (n=255), prototype (n=252), or bivalent (n=259) vaccine. After accounting for exclusions due to participants being baseline SARS-CoV-2-positive, having previous infection, or protocol deviations, the per-protocol analysis set included 694 participants (236 in BA.5 group, 227 in prototype group, and 231 in bivalent group). In this interim analysis (maximum follow-up 35 days after the first dose), the bivalent group, compared with the prototype group, had superior neutralising antibody responses to BA.5 (GMT 1017·8 [95% CI 891·0-1162·6] vs 515·1 [450·4-589·0]; GMTR 2·0 [1·69-2·33]) and a non-inferior seroresponse rate to BA.5 at day 28 (39·8% [33·5-46·5] vs 12·3% [8·4-17·3]; difference 27·5% [19·8-35·0]). The bivalent group also had non-inferior neutralising antibody responses to the ancestral strain (GMTR 1·0 [0·84-1·20]), compared with the prototype group. All vaccines were similarly well tolerated. INTERPRETATION: All three coprimary endpoints were met in part 2 of the ongoing 2019nCoV-311 study. These data support the development of monovalent and/or bivalent vaccines for the most currently circulating variants, to optimise protection. With no new safety findings, further investigation of omicron-based subvariant vaccines is supported by the evidence. FUNDING: Novavax.

Immunogenicity and safety of a fourth homologous dose of NVX-CoV2373.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has significantly reduced the efficacy of some approved vaccines. A fourth dose of NVX-CoV2373 (5 µg SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike [rS] protein + 50 µg Matrix-M™ adjuvant; Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD) was evaluated to determine induction of cross-reactive antibodies to variants of concern. A phase II randomized study (NCT04368988) recruited participants in Australia and the United States to assess a primary series of NVX-CoV2373 followed by two booster doses (third and fourth doses at 6-month intervals) in adults 18-84 years of age. The primary series was administered when the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain was prevalent and the third and fourth doses while the Alpha and Delta variants were prevalent in AUS and US. Local/systemic reactogenicity was assessed the day of vaccination and for 6 days thereafter. Unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were reported. Immunogenicity was measured before, and 14 days after, fourth dose administration, using anti-spike serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralization assays against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and Omicron sublineages. Among 1283 enrolled participants, 258 were randomized to receive the two-dose primary series, of whom 104 received a third dose, and 45 received a fourth dose of NVX-CoV2373. The incidence of local/systemic reactogenicity events increased after the first three doses of NVX-CoV2373 and leveled off after dose 4. Unsolicited AEs were reported in 9 % of participants after dose 4 (none of which were severe or serious). Anti-rS IgG levels and neutralization antibody titers increased following booster doses to a level approximately four-fold higher than that observed after the primary series, with a progressively narrowed gap in response between the ancestral strain and Omicron BA.5. A fourth dose of NVX-CoV2373 enhanced immunogenicity for ancestral and variant SARS-CoV-2 strains without increasing reactogenicity, indicating that updates to the vaccine composition may not be currently warranted.

XBB.1.5 spike protein COVID-19 vaccine induces broadly neutralizing and cellular immune responses against EG.5.1 and emerging XBB variants.

Monovalent SARS-CoV-2 Prototype (Wuhan-Hu-1) and bivalent (Prototype + BA.4/5) COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated a waning of vaccine-mediated immunity highlighted by lower neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB sub-variants. The reduction of humoral immunity due to the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has signaled the need for an update to vaccine composition. A strain change for all authorized/approved vaccines to a monovalent composition with Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has been supported by the WHO, EMA, and FDA. Here, we demonstrate that immunization with a monovalent recombinant spike protein COVID-19 vaccine (Novavax, Inc.) based on the subvariant XBB.1.5 induces neutralizing antibodies against XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, EG.5.1, and XBB.1.16.6 subvariants, promotes higher pseudovirus neutralizing antibody titers than bivalent (Prototype + XBB.1.5) vaccine, induces SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific Th1-biased CD4 + T-cell responses against XBB subvariants, and robustly boosts antibody responses in mice and nonhuman primates primed with a variety of monovalent and bivalent vaccines. Together, these data support updating the Novavax vaccine to a monovalent XBB.1.5 formulation for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. As SARS-CoV-2 moves into endemic status, vaccination remains a key element in protecting the health of individuals, societies, and economies worldwide. AREAS COVERED: NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD) is a recombinant protein vaccine composed of SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer nanoparticles formulated with saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant (Novavax, Gaithersburg, MD). NVX-CoV2373 is authorized for emergency use in adults and adolescents aged ≥12 years in the United States and numerous other countries. EXPERT OPINION: In clinical trials, NVX-CoV2373 showed tolerable reactogenicity and favorable safety profiles characterized by mostly mild-to-moderate adverse events of short duration and by low rates of severe and serious adverse events comparable to those seen with placebo. The two-dose primary vaccination series resulted in robust increases in anti-spike protein immunoglobulin G, neutralizing antibody titers, and cellular immune responses. NVX-CoV2373 vaccination was associated with complete protection against severe disease and a high (90%) rate of protection against symptomatic disease in adults, including symptomatic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants. Additionally, the NVX-CoV2373 adjuvanted recombinant protein platform offers a means to address issues of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and global vaccine equity.

Safety and Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Spike Protein Vaccine in Children and Adolescents in India: A Phase 2-3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The recombinant COVID-19 vaccine NVX-CoV2373 has demonstrated efficacy of approximately 90% in adults; however, its safety and efficacy in children is unknown. Objective: To assess the noninferiority of SII-NVX-CoV2373 in children and adolescents compared to adults and to evaluate its safety in comparison with placebo. Design, Setting, and Participants: This phase 2-3 observer-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2 cohorts, children (aged 2 to 11 years) and adolescents (aged 12 to 17 years) between August 2021 and August 2022. Participants were randomized 3:1 to SII-NVX-CoV2373 or placebo and monitored for 179 days. The participants, study team, and laboratory staff were blinded. This was a multicenter study conducted across 10 tertiary care hospitals in India. Exclusion criteria included previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination, immunocompromised condition, and immunosuppressive medications. Interventions: Two doses of 0.5-mL SII-NVX-CoV2373 or placebo were administered intramuscularly on days 1 and 22. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were geometric mean titer ratio of both anti-spike (anti-S) IgG and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) between both pediatric age groups to that of adults on day 36. Noninferiority was concluded if the lower bound of 95% CI of this ratio was greater than 0.67 for each age group. Both the antibodies were assessed for the index strain and for selected variants at various time points. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were recorded for 7 days after each vaccination, unsolicited AEs were recorded for 35 days, and serious AEs and AEs of special interest were recorded for 179 days. Results: A total of 460 children in each age cohort were randomized to receive vaccine or placebo. The mean (SD) age was 6.7 (2.7) years in the child cohort and 14.3 (1.6) years in the adolescent cohort; 231 participants (50.2%) in the child cohort and 218 in the adolescent cohort (47.4%) were female. Both anti-S IgG and NAb titers were markedly higher in the SII-NVX-CoV2373 group than in the placebo group on both day 36 and day 180. The geometric mean titer ratios compared to those in adults were 1.20 (95% CI, 1.08-1.34) and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.38-1.67) for anti-S IgG in adolescents and children, respectively; while for NAbs, they were 1.33 (95% CI, 1.17-1.50) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.70-2.18) in adolescents and children, respectively, indicating noninferiority. SII-NVX-CoV2373 also showed immune responses against variants studied. Injection site reactions, fever, headache, malaise, and fatigue were common solicited AEs. There were no AEs of special interest and no causally related serious AEs. Conclusions and Relevance: SII-NVX-CoV2373 was safe and well tolerated in children and adolescents in this study. The vaccine was highly immunogenic and may be used in pediatric vaccination against COVID-19. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India Identifier: CTRI/2021/02/031554.

Safety and immunogenicity following a homologous booster dose of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine (NVX-CoV2373): a secondary analysis of a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and evidence of waning vaccine efficacy present substantial obstacles towards controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Booster doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines might address these concerns by amplifying and broadening the immune responses seen with initial vaccination regimens. We aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of a homologous booster dose of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine (NVX-CoV2373). METHODS: This secondary analysis of a phase 2, randomised study assessed a single booster dose of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant (NVX-CoV2373) in healthy adults aged 18-84 years, recruited from 17 clinical centres in the USA and Australia. Eligible participants had a BMI of 17-35 kg/m2 and, for women, were heterosexually inactive or using contraception. Participants who had a history of SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2, confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, serious chronic medical conditions, or were pregnant or breastfeeding were excluded. Approximately 6 months following their primary two-dose vaccination series (administered day 0 and day 21), participants who received placebo for their primary vaccination series received a placebo booster (group A) and participants who received NVX-CoV2373 for their primary vaccination series (group B) were randomly assigned (1:1) again, via centralised interactive response technology system, to receive either placebo (group B1) or a single booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 (5 µg SARS-CoV-2 rS with 50 µg Matrix-M adjuvant; group B2) via intramuscular injection; randomisation was stratified by age and study site. Vaccinations were administered by designated site personnel who were masked to treatment assignment, and participants and other site staff were also masked. Administration personnel also assessed the outcome. The primary endpoints are safety (unsolicited adverse events) and reactogenicity (solicited local and systemic) events and immunogenicity (serum IgG antibody concentrations for the SARS-CoV-2 rS protein antigen) assessed 14 days after the primary vaccination series (day 35) and 28 days following booster (day 217). Safety was analysed in all participants in groups A, B1, and B2, according to the treatment received; immunogenicity was analysed in the per-protocol population (ie, participants in groups A, B1, and B2) who received all assigned doses and who did not test SARS-CoV-2-positive or received an authorised vaccine, analysed according to treatment assignment). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04368988. FINDINGS: 1610 participants were screened from Aug 24, 2020, to Sept 25, 2020. 1282 participants were enrolled, of whom 173 were assigned again to placebo (group A), 106 were re-randomised to NVX-CoV2373-placebo (group B1), and 104 were re-randomised to NVX-CoV2373-NVX-CoV2373 (group B2); after accounting for exclusions and incorrect administration, 172 participants in group A, 102 in group B1, and 105 in group B2 were analysed for safety. Following the active booster, the proportion of participants with available data reporting local (80 [82%] of 97 participants had any adverse event; 13 [13%] had a grade ≥3 event) and systemic (75 [77%] of 98 participants had any adverse event; 15 [15%] had a grade ≥3 event) reactions was higher than after primary vaccination (175 [70%] of 250 participants had any local adverse event, 13 [5%] had a grade ≥3 event; 132 [53%] of 250 had any systemic adverse event, 14 [6%] had a grade ≥3 event). Local and systemic events were transient in nature (median duration 1·0-2·5 days). In the per-protocol immunogenicity population at day 217 (167 participants in group A, 101 participants in group B1, 101 participants in group B2), IgG geometric mean titres (GMT) had increased by 4·7-fold and MN50 GMT by 4·1-fold for the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain compared with the day 35 titres. INTERPRETATION: Administration of a booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 resulted in an incremental increase in reactogenicity. For both the prototype strain and all variants evaluated, immune responses following the booster were similar to or higher than those associated with high levels of efficacy in phase 3 studies of the vaccine. These data support the use of NVX-CoV2373 in booster programmes. FUNDING: Novavax and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of LAIV4 and IIV in children aged 6 months to 17 years during the 2016-2017 season.

As the real-world effectiveness of quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) and inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) has varied in recent seasons, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to more precisely estimate effectiveness in the 2016-2017 season. Relevant studies were identified from a systematic review of published literature and personal communication with study investigators. Five studies conducted in Canada, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were identified for inclusion. Data were analyzed using a random effects model, with heterogeneity testing and a sensitivity analysis restricted to test-negative case-control studies. Consolidated vaccine effectiveness estimates against all strains were 69% (95% CI: 46 to 82) for LAIV4 and 47% (95% CI: 29 to 61) for IIV. Heterogeneity testing was not statistically significant, indicating consistency of individual study results. In conclusion, LAIV4 and IIV showed moderate and comparable effectiveness against influenza in children during the 2016-2017 influenza season.

A study to evaluate the immunogenicity and shedding of live attenuated influenza vaccine strains in children 24-<48 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) showed reduced effectiveness against the A/H1N1 component in the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 influenza seasons. The most likely cause of reduced LAIV effectiveness against A(H1N1)pdm09 strains was poor intranasal replication. OBJECTIVES: To compare the immunogenicity and shedding of a new A/H1N1 strain (A/Slovenia), to a A/H1N1 strain known to have reduced effectiveness (A/Bolivia). PATIENTS/METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study. Children aged 24-<48 months of age were randomized 1:1:1 to receive two doses of LAIV4 2017-2018 (LAIV4A/Slovenia), or LAIV4 2015-2016 or trivalent LAIV (LAIV3) 2015-2016 formulations (LAIV4A/Bolivia or LAIV3A/Bolivia, respectively) on days 1 and 28. The primary endpoint was strain-specific hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody seroresponse at 28 days post each dose, and secondary endpoints included immunogenicity, shedding, and safety. Solicited symptoms, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded. Pre-specified statistical testing was limited to the primary endpoint of HAI antibody responses. RESULTS: A total of 200 children were randomized (median age 35.3 months; 53% male; 57% had previously received influenza vaccine). Significantly higher HAI antibody responses for the A/Slovenia strain were observed after Dose 1 and Dose 2. Neutralizing antibodies and nasal immunoglobulin A antibody responses were higher for A/Slovenia versus A/Bolivia. More children shed the A/Slovenia vaccine strain than the A/Bolivia strain on Days 4-7 after Dose 1. No deaths, SAEs, or discontinuations from vaccine occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The new A(H1N1)pdm09 A/Slovenia LAIV strain demonstrated improved immunogenicity compared with a previous strain with reduced effectiveness and induced immune responses comparable to a highly efficacious pre-pandemic H1N1 LAIV strain. These results support the use of LAIV4 containing A/Slovenia as a vaccine option in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the safety of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in children and adolescents with asthma and high-risk conditions: a population-based prospective cohort study conducted in England with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in children in high-risk groups. DESIGN: Non-interventional cohort study. SETTING: England during 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 influenza seasons. PARTICIPANTS: LAIV recipients identified from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, aged 2-17 years, and with at least one underlying high-risk condition. LAIV recipients were matched with inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) recipients and unvaccinated controls. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary safety endpoints were any hospitalisation documented in the linked Hospital Episodes Statistics database within 42 days and up to 6 months after vaccination. RESULTS: 11 463 children and adolescents were included: 4718 received the trivalent LAIV formulation during the 2013-2014 influenza season and 6745 received the quadrivalent formulation during the 2014-2015 influenza season. The risks of hospitalisation within 42 days were 231 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 193 to 275) in season 2013-2014 and 231 (95% CI 198 to 267) in season 2014-2015. These risks were not significantly different when compared with matched unvaccinated children (relative risks (RR) 0.96 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.19) in season 2013-2014, 0.90 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.07) in season 2014-2015) and consistently lower than after IIV administration (RR 0.47 (95% CI: 0.37 to 0.59) in season 2013-2014, 0.42 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.51) in season 2014-2015). A similar pattern was observed up to 6 months postvaccination with a risk of hospitalisation after LAIV administration that did not differ from what was observed in unvaccinated controls and was lower than after IIV administration. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not identify new safety concerns associated with the administration of LAIV in children and adolescents with high-risk conditions. However, as with any other observational study, treatment administration was not randomly assigned and our findings may be confounded by differences between the groups at baseline. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EUPAS18527.

Benralizumab does not impair antibody response to seasonal influenza vaccination in adolescent and young adult patients with moderate to severe asthma: results from the Phase IIIb ALIZE trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Benralizumab is a humanized, afucosylated monoclonal antibody against the IL-5Rα. Initial monthly followed by every-other-month injections result in rapid and nearly complete eosinophil depletion. We evaluated whether three doses of benralizumab modifies antibody response to seasonal influenza vaccination for adolescent/young adult patients with moderate to severe asthma. METHODS: ALIZE (NCT02814643) was a Phase IIIb randomized controlled trial of patients aged 12-21 years receiving medium- to high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting ß2-agonists. Patients received benralizumab 30 mg or placebo at Weeks 0, 4, and 8, plus tetravalent influenza vaccination at Week 8. At Week 12, strain-specific antibody responses following vaccination were assessed for four influenza antigens by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN) assays. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were randomized and received benralizumab (n=51) or placebo (n=52). There were no consistent differences in HAI or MN antibody responses at Week 12 between patients receiving benralizumab or placebo. HAI geometric mean fold rises (GMFRs) for all influenza strains tested were 3.3-4.2 for benralizumab vs 3.4-3.9 for placebo; MN GMFRs were 2.8-5.1 for benralizumab vs 3.2-4.4 for placebo. A ≥4-fold rise in HAI from Weeks 8 to 12 occurred in 44.0%-56.0% and 30.6%-49.0% of patients receiving benralizumab and placebo, respectively. At Week 12, 78.0%-100% vs 79.6%-100% of patients receiving benralizumab and placebo, respectively, achieved a ≥40 HAI antibody titer. There were no significant safety findings. CONCLUSION: Benralizumab did not impair the antibody response to seasonal virus vaccination in adolescents and young adult patients with moderate to severe asthma.