COVID-19 and Influenza
COVID-19 and influenza (known as the flu) are both highly contagious respiratory illnesses caused by viruses that exhibit seasonal patterns and undergo mutation.1,2 Both viruses are significantly active during the colder months and pose the most risk to adults aged 65 and older, people with an underlying medical condition and those with a weakened immune system.3
~779M million confirmed COVID-19 cases globally since the pandemic began4
~26,000 deaths from COVID-19 across all countries in 20255
~1 billion cases of seasonal flu and ~700,000+ deaths every year across the globe6,7
Novavax developed the only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S. and major markets globally. Nuvaxovid is an adjuvanted protein-based vaccine produced by creating copies of the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. With approvals in countries around the world, NuvaxovidTM is commercialized by our partners Sanofi, Takeda and the Serum Institute of India.
In a recent survey, sixty percent of consumers stated a preference for an all-in-one COVID-19 and influenza vaccine8, and our protein-based COVID-19 influenza combination (CIC) vaccine candidate in advanced development represents a potentially significant public health opportunity. We are exploring partnerships for our CIC vaccine to amplify the impact of our proven technology.
Additionally, Sanofi has the rights to develop and commercialize combination products containing our COVID-19 vaccine and their influenza vaccines (Fluzone High Dose and Flublok), with two such combination vaccines already in Phase 1/2 clinical development.
Our protein-based (non-egg) influenza vaccine candidate has the potential to improve on the current standard of care. In clinical studies, our vaccine candidate has induced immune responses similar to licensed comparators and is well tolerated.9 This asset is available for partnership.
Pipeline
Explore our pipeline of protein-based vaccines.
Partnerships
Partnerships help us further the impact of our proven technology.
- World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [Internet]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19). Accessed 2025 Aug 20.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Influenza [Internet]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html. Accessed 2025 Aug 20.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Facts. Available from: https://www.hhs.gov/risk-less-do-more/flu-covid-19-rsv-facts/index.html. Accessed 2026 Jan 14.
- World Health Organization. WHO COVID-19 dashboard [Internet]. Available from: https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/cases. Accessed 2025 Aug 20.
- World Health Organization. WHO COVID-19 dashboard data. Weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths by date reported to WHO. Available from: https://srhdpeuwpubsa.blob.core.windows.net/whdh/COVID/WHO-COVID-19-global-data.csv. Accessed 2026 Jan 14.
- World Health Organization. Influenza (seasonal) [Internet]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal). Accessed 2025 Aug 20.
- Our World in Data. Seasonal flu kills about 700,000 people each year across the world. Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/seasonal-flu-kills-about-700000-people-each-year-across-the-world. Accessed 2026 Jan 14.
- Poulos C. et al. US consumer and healthcare professional preferences for combination COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. J Med Econ. 2025 Dec;28(1):279-290. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2025.2462412.
- Bennett, C., et al. A Safety and Immunogenicity Study of Novavax’s COVID–Influenza Combination and Stand-alone Influenza Vaccines in Adults 65 years and Older. Poster (P-524) presented at: 10th ESWI Influenza Conference 2025; October 21, 2025; Valencia, Spain. (abstract book pending)