The Food and Drug Administration approves Moderna's first mRNA-based flu vaccine for older adults.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the country’s first mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, for adults aged 50 and older. The vaccine, developed by Moderna, was approved after a phase 3 trial involving nearly 41,000 people, which showed the vaccine to be approximately 26.6% more effective than older flu shots. This approval follows a period of scrutiny regarding mRNA technology, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the administration announced the approval, the vaccine is expected to be available to eligible populations for the 2026-2027 flu season. The decision comes despite a broader effort by the health department to wind down mRNA vaccine development activities. Despite some skepticism from medical professionals, the vaccine provides a new option for seniors. The approval reflects the ongoing potential of the mRNA platform, which has proven capable of delivering safe and scalable vaccines in record time.