The mRNA technology behind Moderna’s Covid vaccine reaches the flu
The mFlusiva vaccine for older people is first made with mRNA platform key to ending coronavirus pandemic The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new kind of flu vaccine for older people, the first made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the Covid -19 pandemic, Moderna, the manufacturer, said. The shot, named mFlusiva, is intended for adults aged 50 or older. Other…
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a novel flu vaccine for older individuals, named mFlusiva, as the first to utilize mRNA technology developed for the Covid-19 pandemic. Manufactured by Moderna, the vaccine is designed for adults aged 50 and above. Following the FDA's approval, other flu vaccines have started appearing in pharmacies for the upcoming fall vaccination season, with Moderna anticipating some mFlusiva supply soon at select retailers.
Despite the presence of several flu vaccine choices in the US, including three recommended for individuals aged 65 or older, influenza claims tens of thousands of lives annually, with older adults being particularly susceptible. To remain effective, flu vaccines must be updated annually to align with circulating virus strains. Thanks to the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology, vaccines can be produced more swiftly than others.
This additional option may prove beneficial if the constantly evolving flu virus necessitates the rapid production of new doses.
The FDA granted full approval for mFlusiva's usage in individuals aged 50 to 64, based on a study involving 40,000 participants that demonstrated the new vaccine reduced flu cases by approximately 27% compared to another commonly used flu vaccine brand. For those 65 or older, Moderna received accelerated approval for the shot, based on a smaller study that revealed it elicited a robust immune response compared to an existing high-dose vaccine for seniors, while further postmarketing studies are underway.
Moderna's data showed no major safety concerns but did report some temporary reactions, such as injection site pain, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches, which occurred more frequently than with current flu vaccines.
The FDA's decision follows a contentious public dispute earlier this year. A top FDA official initially blocked Moderna's application, reflecting the agency's heightened vaccine scrutiny under Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Days later, the agency reversed its stance after Moderna publicly challenged the ruling. In June, a panel of independent advisers to the FDA unanimously recommended the vaccine's approval.
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