FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Shot, Marks New Era in Vaccine Development The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first influenza vaccine utilizing mRNA technology, known as mFlusiva, developed by biotechnology company Moderna. This marks a significant milestone in vaccine innovation, as the FDA granted conditional approval for the vaccine to be used in adults aged 50 to 65 and those 65 years and older. However, the approval comes with a critical condition: Moderna must conduct an additional clinical trial in the older age group to further evaluate the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The approval was based on data from a late-stage clinical trial involving over 40,000 participants across 11 countries, including the United States. In this trial, mFlusiva demonstrated an effectiveness rate of approximately 27% higher than the standard flu shot. This finding has sparked optimism among scientists and public health officials, who have long advocated for mRNA-based vaccines due to their potential to revolutionize vaccine development. Unlike traditional flu vaccines, which require months to produce, mRNA vaccines can be manufactured more quickly, enabling researchers to adapt to evolving influenza strains with greater agility. Moderna claims its process takes two to three months from strain selection to vaccine distribution, compared to the six-month timeline for conventional flu shots. The mRNA platform, which was instrumental in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer, allows for rapid genetic sequencing and production. This capability is particularly valuable in the context of influenza, which undergoes frequent mutations, making it challenging to create vaccines that remain effective over time. Dr.#fda #robert_f_kennedy_jr #moderna #mflusiva #boston_childrens_hospital
The First mRNA Flu Vaccine Approved for Use in Adults Over 50 Marks a Major Breakthrough in Pandemic Preparedness The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first influenza vaccine that utilizes the same mRNA technology as the COVID-19 vaccines, marking a significant advancement in public health. Developed by Moderna, the vaccine, named mFlusiva, is now available for individuals aged 50 and older at select pharmacies ahead of the upcoming flu season. This approval comes after a clinical trial involving 40,000 participants, which demonstrated that the mRNA-based vaccine reduced flu cases by 27% compared to conventional flu shots. The FDA’s decision was based on data from a large-scale study that compared the efficacy of mFlusiva with traditional influenza vaccines. Participants who received the mRNA vaccine experienced a notable decrease in flu-related illnesses, with the results highlighting the potential of mRNA technology to revolutionize vaccine development. Conventional flu vaccines, which are typically produced using chicken eggs, have historically been less effective due to the challenge of predicting the dominant flu strains for the upcoming season. This mismatch often leads to reduced efficacy, with conventional vaccines offering protection ranging from 40% to 60% annually. Moderna’s mFlusiva, however, bypasses this limitation by delivering genetic instructions for producing viral proteins directly to the body’s cells. This approach allows the immune system to recognize and combat the flu virus more effectively. According to immunologist Hanover Matz, a coauthor of the study, the mRNA vaccine generates a stronger and longer-lasting immune response.#us_food_and_drug_administration #moderna #mflusiva #hanover_matz #flu_season
The FDA Approves First mRNA-Based Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the nation’s first mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFlusiva, for use in individuals aged 50 and older. Developed by Moderna, this marks a significant shift in influenza prevention, leveraging the same mRNA technology used in many COVID-19 vaccines. The approval comes after years of regulatory hurdles, including initial rejections by the FDA and political challenges during the Trump administration, which had cut funding for mRNA vaccine research. The vaccine’s development faced a complex path to approval. Initially, the FDA declined Moderna’s application, citing concerns about the study’s design. However, the agency’s independent vaccine advisory panel unanimously recommended approval in June 2024, stating the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks. After further negotiations, the FDA agreed to a dual approval pathway: standard approval for adults aged 50–64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older. This decision followed criticism that Moderna’s original trial did not meet the FDA’s standards for comparing the mRNA vaccine to the enhanced dose recommended for older adults. The mRNA flu vaccine operates differently from traditional flu shots. While conventional vaccines use inactivated or weakened viral components to stimulate immunity, mRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions to cells, prompting them to produce viral proteins that trigger an immune response. This method allows for faster production and adaptability to emerging viral strains.#fda #johns_hopkins #moderna #mflusiva #center_for_infectious_disease_research_and_policy
