FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, the first to use the technology

August 6, 2026 - 03:31

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to Moderna's new influenza vaccine, marking the first time a flu shot built on messenger RNA technology has been licensed. The approval covers adults 18 and older, and the shot is expected to be available for the upcoming respiratory virus season.

Unlike traditional flu vaccines, which are typically grown in chicken eggs or manufactured using cell-based methods, this new vaccine uses the same mRNA platform that proved so effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology works by instructing cells to produce a harmless piece of the virus's spike protein, which then triggers an immune response. For flu, the mRNA approach allows for faster updates if circulating strains change, and it avoids the long production timelines and egg supply issues that have historically slowed flu vaccine manufacturing.

Moderna said clinical trials showed the vaccine produced a strong immune response against multiple influenza strains, including H1N1 and H3N2, with a safety profile comparable to existing flu shots. The company is already working on a combined mRNA vaccine that would protect against both flu and COVID-19 in a single shot, which could simplify annual vaccination for millions of people.

Public health experts see this as a significant step forward. Flu vaccines have long been effective but imperfect, with effectiveness ranging from 20 to 60 percent in recent seasons. The mRNA platform may offer better protection and quicker adaptation to new viral mutations. The FDA's decision follows a priority review and comes just months after the agency approved Moderna's RSV vaccine, signaling a broader shift toward mRNA-based immunizations beyond COVID-19.