Pfizer has announced that its first enrolled subjects have received immunisations as part of a new study that explores co-administration of its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20vPnC) candidate after a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine among adults aged 65 years or older. The conjugate vaccine candidate is currently authorised for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The study aims to establish the safety of co-administering both vaccines, along with a six-month follow-up after vaccination. The secondary objectives are to report immune responses elicited by both vaccines.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and pharmaceutical company Panacea Biotec have launched production of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in India. The first batch of the vaccines manufactured at Panacea’s facilities at Baddi will be sent to the Gamaleya Center in Russia for quality control. Full-scale production of the Sputnik V vaccine is expected to commence in the summer. India authorised Sputnik V for emergency use in April, while vaccinations began in May. RDIF and Panacea have agreed to produce 100 million doses of the vaccine every year.

Moderna and contract manufacturer Aldevron have expanded a partnership to support the development of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine and other programmes in Moderna’s therapeutic pipeline. Aldevron will provide plasmid DNA, which will serve as the genetic template for producing Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, as well as supporting other clinical development programmes.