First mRNA flu shot clears hurdle
Advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration voted on June 18 to back Moderna's experimental mRNA flu vaccine, known as mFlusvia, for adults 50 and older. The panel determined that the shot's benefits outweigh its risks, clearing the path toward what would be the first mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine ever approved. The final FDA decision is expected in time for the 2026-27 flu season.
Regulatory battle behind the scenes
The road to the advisory vote was unusually contentious. Earlier this year, a top FDA official blocked Moderna's application from being reviewed — a rare move that raised questions about political interference in vaccine approvals under Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccine skeptic. Moderna challenged the decision, arguing that FDA staff had approved the main study's design. The company also cited a separate study comparing the mRNA shot favorably to high-dose vaccines for seniors.
A new tool against flu
Traditional flu vaccines are grown in eggs or cell cultures, a process that takes months and sometimes produces a mismatch against circulating strains. mRNA technology allows faster production and easier updating. If approved, mFlusvia could offer better protection for older adults, who bear the brunt of flu hospitalizations and deaths. The flu season typically kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.