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FDA panel considers new type of flu shot using mRNA technology
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- U.S. health advisers are reviewing Moderna's mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFlusiva, which is the first flu shot using the same technology as COVID-19 vaccines, targeting people aged 50 and older.
- Moderna's vaccine showed a 27% reduction in flu cases compared to a standard vaccine in a study of 40,000 participants aged 50 and above, with no reported safety concerns according to the FDA's preliminary review.
- The mRNA technology allows faster production of vaccines, potentially enabling quicker responses to flu virus mutations, which is especially important for older adults who are more vulnerable to influenza.
- Moderna is seeking full FDA approval for use in people aged 50 to 64 and emergency authorization for those 65 and older while conducting further testing on the latter group.
- The FDA advisory committee will also evaluate a smaller study comparing Moderna’s vaccine to a high-dose flu vaccine for seniors, although data on very frail and immunocompromised older adults remains limited.
