{
  "id": 9009867,
  "title": "First mRNA Flu Vaccine Approved in the U.S. Now Available for Adults 50 Years and Older",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/first-mrna-flu-vaccine-approved-in-the-u-s-now-available-for-adults",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-21T20:53:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discover Magazine",
    "slug": "discover-magazine",
    "url": "https://www.discovermagazine.com/first-mrna-flu-vaccine-approved-in-the-u-s-now-available-for-adults-50-years-and-older-49704"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The biotechnology firm Moderna has introduced mFLUSIVA, the initial mRNA flu vaccine endorsed in the United States, just in time for the onset of the annual flu season. This innovative vaccine technology has previously been utilized in widely distributed COVID-19 vaccines, which have transformed vaccination methods. Following a substantial clinical trial demonstrating the vaccine's effectiveness and safety in May 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the vaccine for individuals over 50 years old.\n\nEligibility for the mRNA flu vaccine is primarily restricted to adults aged 50 and above, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preliminary data from the CDC suggests that the 2025 to 2026 flu season resulted in a minimum of 32 million flu cases, 390,000 hospitalizations, and 24,000 deaths. To counteract the impact of a viral infection, the CDC recommends receiving the vaccination by the end of October 2026. The mFLUSIVA shot, approved by the FDA in August 2026 and set to be distributed in pharmacies within weeks, will be accessible to individuals in the 50-64 age range. Additionally, the FDA has granted accelerated approval for adults aged 65 and older prior to comprehensive authorization. Those under 50 years old or those choosing not to receive the new mRNA vaccine can still obtain a conventional flu shot. It is essential to note that the mFLUSIVA shot, distinct from Moderna's earlier COVID and flu vaccine combination approved this year in Europe, does not target the COVID virus.\n\nThe mRNA vaccine functions differently from traditional flu vaccines, which employ an inactivated virus grown in eggs or cells. Instead, the mRNA vaccine includes a concise genetic sequence (mRNA) encoding a benign viral protein, prompting the body's immune system to react against a possible infection. Similar to conventional flu vaccines, the mRNA vaccine from Moderna is a trivalent vaccine, safeguarding against multiple influenza strains concurrently. Following administration, the body becomes protected from infection approximately two weeks post-vaccination, with the mRNA utilized to train the immune system being broken down and eliminated.\n\nAccording to the phase 3 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers propose that the mRNA vaccine may surpass traditional flu vaccines in effectiveness, as fewer individuals who received the mFLUSIVA shot contracted the flu in subsequent months compared to those given the standard flu shot. A significant benefit of mRNA vaccines is their swifter production compared to traditional vaccines, enabling scientists to design vaccines to target the most recent strains as influenza viruses are known to mutate frequently. The large clinical trial, involving over 40,000 adults from 11 countries, demonstrated a 27 percent increase in effectiveness compared to standard-dose flu vaccines. Nonetheless, given that individuals over 65 are advised to receive stronger flu vaccines, Moderna is conducting a follow-up study to determine which vaccine works better for this particular age group. The FDA has certified the new mRNA vaccine as safe, acknowledging potential common side effects such as injection site pain, fatigue, and headaches. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not serve as medical advice.",
  "summary": "Learn who is eligible for the new flu vaccine and what makes the mRNA vaccine more efficient and adaptable than traditional flu shot.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Medical Xpress",
        "title": "Survey: Older adults have strong interest in dementia vaccine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/survey-older-adults-have-strong-interest-in-dementia-vaccine",
        "published": "2026-09-21T15:40:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}