Aug 7, 2026 · 8 min · 7 segments
The Food and Drug Administration approves the first mRNA influenza vaccine. More than 20 Democratic attorneys general sue the federal government over Affordable Care Act marketplace changes. And HCA…
[gentle music] The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind flu shot utilizing messenger RNA technology.
The FDA's approval was based on a large-scale phase three clinical trial that spanned 11 countries and included nearly 41,000 adults over the age of 50.
They found that the mRNA influenza vaccine was nearly 27% more effective than the standard dose vaccine in those over 50 years of age.
The approval for patients 65 and older is contingent on Moderna running an additional clinical trial, according to a news release.
Moderna said it expects to have doses of mFluCiva available for this respiratory virus season.
The shot's approval was not guaranteed after the FDA originally refused to review the application, citing issues it had with the clinical trial.
Namely, that the company compared its shot against a lower-dose shot, not the high-dose shot typically recommended for individuals over the age of 65.
mRNA vaccines gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the technology has been credited with the rapid scaling of vaccine manufacturing because of its adaptability and safety compared with live viruses.
[gentle music] The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind flu shot utilizing messenger RNA technology.
The FDA's approval was based on a large-scale phase three clinical trial that spanned 11 countries and included nearly 41,000 adults over the age of 50.
They found that the mRNA influenza vaccine was nearly 27% more effective than the standard dose vaccine in those over 50 years of age.
The approval for patients 65 and older is contingent on Moderna running an additional clinical trial, according to a news release.
Moderna said it expects to have doses of mFluCiva available for this respiratory virus season.
The shot's approval was not guaranteed after the FDA originally refused to review the application, citing issues it had with the clinical trial.
Namely, that the company compared its shot against a lower-dose shot, not the high-dose shot typically recommended for individuals over the age of 65.
mRNA vaccines gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the technology has been credited with the rapid scaling of vaccine manufacturing because of its adaptability and safety compared with live viruses.
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