FDA approves 1st mRNA flu shot, from Moderna

The vaccine, called mFlusiva, was approved for older adults. In trials, it was found to be about 27% more effective than a standard flu shot.

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the U.S.’ first flu shot that uses mRNA technology: mFlusiva, from drugmaker Moderna.

The FDA granted approval for two age groups, adults 50 to 65 and adults 65 and up, on the condition that Moderna run an additional clinical trial in the older group, the company said in a release. In a late-stage trial, mFlusiva was found to be about 27% more effective than a standard flu shot.

Many scientists and public health experts have touted the idea of an mRNA-based flu vaccine, which uses the same messenger RNA platform as the Covid vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. That’s because mRNA vaccines can be manufactured much faster than traditional vaccines, allowing scientists to better match circulating influenza strains.

Moderna said it takes two to three months from picking the strain to rolling out its flu shot, compared with about six months for traditional flu shots.

“If you’re choosing the strain half a year before, how good can we be at sharpshooting?” said Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.