A new 'super vaccine' could be available in the next couple of years.
Pharmaceutical giant Moderna is aiming to create a single vaccine that will protect against flu and Covid-19.
Chief Executive Stephane Bancel has said the single shot will protect against Covid-19, influenza and RSV, a type of respiratory virus.
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The Guardian reports that Moderna is aiming to launch it within two years.
Bancel was speaking on a panel at the World Economics Forum in Davos and said that the aim for the combined flu and Covid booster is to be ready prior to the winter in 2023.
He said: "Our goal is to be able to have a single annual booster so that we don't have compliance issues where people don't want to get two to three shots a winter," adding that, "The best-case scenario would be the fall of 2023.
"The vaccine is being finished. It should be in the clinic in the coming weeks. We are hoping in the March timeframe to be able to have data to share with regulators to figure out next steps".
However, earlier this month, a vaccine expert highlighted that focus should be on tackling the Omicron variant.
According to the Guardian, Darius Hughes, the UK chief executive of Moderna, said it would be a "stretch" that the combined flu and Covid shot could be available by then.
He said: "Our number one priority for 2022, after getting the right Covid vaccine for the Omicron variant, is to try to really drive forward our flu and RSV programmes to see if we can get a combination, single-dose respiratory vaccine.
"The benefit for the NHS, and all the vaccination services, and ultimately patients, we think, is going to be huge."
In Scotland, 4,401,034 people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 4,090,242 have received their second.
Meanwhile, 3,214,062 have received a third dose or booster.
