A first for flu shots
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first mRNA-based vaccine for seasonal influenza. The shot, called mFlusiva, is made by Moderna. It is cleared for adults aged 50 and older. The vaccine is designed to protect against influenza A subtypes and influenza B strains included in the shot. The approval came on August 5, 2026, after a unanimous recommendation from the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
What the technology means
mFlusiva uses the same messenger RNA technology behind the COVID-19 vaccines. The approach teaches cells to build a harmless piece of the virus, which trains the immune system to respond. Supporters say mRNA platforms can be updated quickly when flu strains change. The approval followed months of delays. At one point the agency declined to review the application. The decision is seen as a shift in the administration's stance on vaccines. Moderna chief executive Stephane Bancel called the approval proof of the strength and versatility of the company's mRNA platform.
What happens next
Moderna expects mFlusiva to reach select retailers in the coming weeks, in time for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. The vaccine adds a new option for older adults, the group at highest risk of severe flu. Doctors note that mRNA flu vaccines could eventually be combined with shots for other respiratory viruses. Public health experts say the new option may help improve vaccination rates, which have lagged in recent years. As with any new vaccine, officials will track safety and effectiveness data as the shot reaches a wider population.