Will the mRNA flu shot work better than a regular seasonal one? What the science says

Key Points:

• The US FDA approved Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, for adults aged 50–64 and granted accelerated approval for those 65 and older, with availability expected in a few weeks for the 2026–27 flu season.
• The mRNA platform allows rapid reformulation to match circulating influenza strains, potentially addressing slow manufacturing issues associated with traditional flu vaccines.
• Clinical trials involving over 40,000 adults showed mFLUSIVA reduced laboratory-confirmed flu cases by 26.6% compared to standard vaccines, with mostly mild to moderate side effects like injection-site pain and fatigue.
• Moderna will conduct a confirmatory phase IV trial to assess efficacy in people aged 65 and older, following accelerated approval based on stronger antibody responses than existing flu shots in this age group.
• The vaccine is under review by regulators in the EU, Canada, and Australia, with a related combined influenza and COVID-19 mRNA vaccine already approved in Europe.