What you should know about the new mRNA flu vaccine
An expert digs into everything you need to know about the newly approved mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA.
The FDA has approved Moderna's mFLUSIVA, marking the first influenza vaccine to utilize mRNA technology for individuals aged 50 and above. Introduced on August 5, this new vaccine presents an alternative option for the protection of older Americans who are vulnerable to the flu. Since 65 years of age, the majority of flu-related deaths in the US are recorded, motivating public health bodies to change flu vaccine technology.
The traditional, egg-based method for producing flu vaccines is time-consuming and prone to mismatching with circulating strains, hindering timely responses to evolving viruses. Moderna's mRNA shot is "very, very promising," asserts Anna Durbin, a Johns Hopkins University professor and director of the Center for Immunization Research.
She adds that most vaccinologists consider mRNA vaccines as the future of flu vaccines. Regulators in the EU, Canada, and Australia are also reviewing the vaccine, with the European Medicine Agency having separately authorized a combined mRNA COVID-flu vaccine, also by Moderna. However, the safety, effectiveness, price, demand, and availability of mFLUSIVA remain open questions.
In clinical trials, mFLUSIVA showed a 26.6% increase in efficacy compared to traditional flu vaccines, with a stronger immune response in adults 65 and older. The vaccine's safety was tested on approximately 70,000 participants. The 2026-27 flu season will reveal its real-world performance. The mRNA platform allows quicker adaptation to emerging strains, potentially changing the regulatory timeline and making flu shots more effective.
The availability of the mRNA flu vaccine in the fall is uncertain, with potential variations in accessibility and pricing.
Written by urgent.news from Futurity's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
