Justin Markow

An FDA advisory panel has unanimously recommended approval of Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine for older adults, marking the world’s first mRNA-based influenza vaccine. Clinical trials showed it was about 27% more effective than the standard flu shot. The vaccine is not yet available. It still requires final FDA approval and a recommendation from the CDC before it can be widely used. If approved, it would represent one of the biggest changes in flu vaccination in decades. Unlike traditional egg-based flu vaccines that take about six months to produce, mRNA vaccines can be designed and manufactured in just two to three months. This speed would allow scientists to wait longer before selecting which flu strains to target, improving the match against viruses actually circulating during flu season. The mRNA vaccine does not contain the virus itself. It delivers genetic instructions that teach cells to temporarily produce a harmless piece of the virus, training the immune system to recognize and fight it. The mRNA is quickly broken down by the body and does not remain inside it. Seasonal influenza hospitalizes hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, with older adults at greatest risk. Researchers hope this faster, more adaptable platform will provide better protection, especially in years when the virus changes unexpectedly. While mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been widely used, this would be the first mRNA vaccine approved specifically for seasonal flu. If given the green light, it could open the door to a new generation of faster and more effective vaccines.

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