FDA Approves the First mRNA Flu Vaccine
The shot, made by Moderna, will be available for this year's upcoming flu season.
On August 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, developed by Moderna, marking a significant advancement in influenza prevention. The vaccine, called mFlusiva, showed 27% greater effectiveness in preventing flu compared to existing flu shots in a study involving over 40,000 individuals aged 50 and above.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, hailed the vaccine as a groundbreaking development for public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. Unlike traditional flu vaccines that take up to six months to develop, mRNA technology allows for a faster, six-week development period.
However, the vaccine's approval comes amidst a controversial shift in federal health guidelines, which now recommend flu shots only for individuals aged 50 and older, not aligning with previous advice for those six years and older. Despite initial setbacks, including a "Refusal-to-File" letter from the FDA, Moderna quickly addressed concerns and secured accelerated approval for people aged 50 to 64 and full approval for those 65 and older.
The decision to approve mFlusiva highlights the complex interplay between scientific progress and public health policy, especially in an era marked by skepticism towards vaccines and mRNA technology.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
