FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine mFLUSIVA for older adults

scienceAug 6, 2026565,238

The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna’s mRNA seasonal flu vaccine mFLUSIVA for adults 50 and older. Moderna said mFLUSIVA is expected to be available for people 50 and older for the 2026, 2027 respiratory illness season. In a clinical trial of adults 50 to 64, the mRNA vaccine produced 27 percent fewer confirmed flu cases than the current standard vaccine; overall safety profiles were similar but more people receiving the mRNA shot reported mostly mild side effects that lasted two days or less. For people 65 and older, the high-dose vaccine is currently recommended; Moderna said it will collect data this winter comparing mFLUSIVA to the high-dose vaccine and submit those results to the FDA to determine whether approval will extend to that age group. The FDA initially declined to review Moderna’s application earlier this year but reversed course after Moderna promised a postmarket study and following public outcry. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled at least 500 million dollars of federally funded mRNA vaccine development last year and has voiced opposition to the mRNA platform; the articles say he claimed funding should go to other platforms and falsely asserted mRNA vaccines can prolong pandemics. The CDC continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older and recommends getting vaccinated before the end of October.

Dr. Lucky Tran

@luckytran.com

Fantastic news! The FDA has approved the first mRNA flu vaccine. Using mRNA technology will make it easier to update each season’s flu vaccine to keep up with new variants.

243845d ago

Dr. Lucky Tran206

Initially the F.D.A. had refused to even review Moderna’s application for approval earlier this year, but quickly reversed course after a public outcry.

Joseph Dennis26

Because of time constraints, last year's flu vaccine was made before the prevalent strain hit the population. mRNA shortens the development time so it can cover more strains hitting the population.

Diamondplate Dave20

I've had the flu a couple times. It sucked. I started getting the flu vaccine every fall almost 25 years ago, and I've never gotten the flu or had a reaction to the shot. I hope the mRNA vaccine gives me laser beam eyes, or something. I'm already magnetic and 5G from the Covid boosters.

Mary Grace16

mRNA has led to a revolution in healthcare.

Christina González9

Glad to see this, though hoping to see an extension of the eligible age range sooner rather than later.

❄️ ABOLISH ICE8

Honestly surprised Trump’s FDA approved this. You know, since they are terrible and hate science.

Quoting this

Dimitri Drekonja, MD, MS38

Pleasantly surprised. And will not be shocked if there are firings in coming days in retaliation

LANana #🟦 Punk Bitch27

Okay, now can they do an annual flu/Covid booster? Cuz... inject that into my veins 💉

Mike Fragassi22

I am not joking that I can't believe that our Pro-Plague Regime allowed this to be approved

AltFDA21

Narrator ::They did pay a big enough bribe::

KittyKatGirl😻🙏💞🐞19

How long before Brainworms and the MAGA Morons ban the new vaccines?

Isabel11

Plus: antibodies your body develops against proteins human cells cooked up are more effective at neutralizing viruses produced in other humans’ cells! The egg-based culture model for classic flu vax means we’re developing immune responses against slightly different, chicken-synthesized proteins.

Markus Nielbock (마커스) 💉🚀💚🌻🇺🇦🇬🇱8

Erster mRNA-Impfstoff gegen die echte Grippe zugelassen.

Zylla Black6

I think... I'm pretty sure this also means I can finally *get* flu vaccines. Hell yeah!

Timothy5

RFK’s FDA approved this? Color me pleasantly surprised and relieved

Miss_the_way_is_green4

Wow, dass hätte ich jetzt nicht mehr vermutet.

Forbes

@forbes.com

The approval of Moderna’s new flu vaccine comes months after the FDA faced backlash for refusing to review the shot.

151445d ago

David Robson28

In a normal country this would just be normal news.

alisonsonneville.bsky.social23

Public health decisions should be guided by scientific evidence and transparency—not politics.

Xbot20

25% more effective and in the future they can probably co-package so you won’t get covid either. I hate being sick so the annual vaccines feel worth it to avoid plagues from school.

JonSam18

My wife and I both have compromised immune systems. COVID hit us hard. Both our doctors said that without the vaccine...we both clearly would have died. Fauci praised as 'hero' by public health experts after Senate hearing www.yahoo.com/news/politic...

reexamineall.bsky.social5

What I’m reading is that it’s only approved for older adults and it probably won’t be covered by insurance bc of RFKjr’s control of the vaccine approval board. But if we can survive this trump regime, we may see great progress in flu shot efficacy in a couple of years when they’re all gone.

Pobuda Marissa5

From "not reviewing" to "approved." What a difference a few months can make.

Quoting this

Grandma Janet4

Finally some good news. Get vaccinated! #VaccinesSaveLifes

Angie Rasmussen

@angierasmussen.bsky.social

FDA approved the Moderna mRNA flu vaccine, which is great news for everyone! In clinical trials it outperformed existing flu vaccine technology so well that not even Vinay Prasad could cancel it. I talked to Scott Tong at @npr.org @hereandnow.bsky.social about it www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

14944d ago

Panderp1

Has this new vaccine been compared to the high dose vaccine given to seniors or just the standard dose?

CNN

@cnn.com

The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the United States' first mRNA-based flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, drugmaker Moderna said. https://cnn.it/4w88wPC

11845d ago

Quoting this

Rudy Korinek2

Paráda - v Evropě už máme schválenou mRNA vakcínu která kombinuje chřipku a Covid, ale single chřipku ještě nemáme, tak doufám že se taky brzy schválí.

PBS News

@pbsnews.org

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new kind of flu vaccine for older people, the first made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturer Moderna said. https://to.pbs.org/3ShnTY0

10644d ago

Dave Bloom5

Good news! The anti-vax lunatics will lower the demand, which benefits the rest of us.

melomys3

The FDA initially refused to accept Moderna’s flu trial results because the guy heading the FDA’s vaccine group is a vaccine skeptic. So count this as victory for smarter people prevailing.

Ãｎ𝕘𝓔lίᶰⒶ ✌︎ ⋆ ☽ ⋆2

Yay! One reason it’s cool I turned 50 😃

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦

@helenbranswell.bsky.social

Twofer here: Last night Moderna got word the #FDA had approved its mRNA flu vaccine for older adults. www.statnews.com/2026/08/05/f... The decision came on the anniversary of when Health Sec. Kennedy axed flu pandemic preparedness funding for Moderna. www.statnews.com/2026/08/06/m...

8244d ago

Adrian Egli2

And no surprise, #QuackTyphoidMaryBowden is using the old anti-vaccine trope "ThEy dIdN"t UsE a TrUe pLaCeBo". #QuackBowden can just tell people to use Ivermectin??🦆 Archived tweet: archive.ph/3WEfx

Yacht Rock Niner1

@helenbranswell.bsky.social I remember being at a conference 15+ years ago describing mRNA vaccines and showing flu vaccine as a model case for it, since the regulatory pathway for approval for future /faster flu variant updates should be streamlined; just swap out the flu strain, same filing path.

Princess Vimentin PhD | Cancer Biologist

@princess-vimentin.bsky.social

Good News! New flu vaccine approved for this fall! mRNA technology offers an advancement from traditional vaccine options that take several months to prepare using decades-old technology. It will enable adjustment to rapidly emerging new flu strains. 🧪 www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/h...

6644d ago

Jim Watson1

Also eliminates the challenge of people who have egg allergies - the existing tech uses chicken eggs to incubate.

atiraslight.bsky.social1

Great news for those of us who are pro-vaccine!

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

The FDA has approved the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, paving the way for a new type of shot that will be available for adults 50 and over looking to get immunized against the respiratory illness, Moderna announced.

7244d ago

eddiethebulldog.bsky.social2

Note well - MAGA anti-science influencers were dead set against mRNA for COVID. This is the same method of delivery they demonized Fauci for and claimed made people ill. Just yesterday in their kangaroo hearing they were screeching about Ivermectin and their “alternative” grifts.

Apple1

Have MAGAts accused it of causing autism yet?

ManBearPig1

New improved formula! Now with more microchips!

J. Offir, PhD

@joffirphd.bsky.social

Moderna's mFLUSIVA has been fully approved in the US for people aged 50-64, with accelerated approval for ages 65/+. (That means they can get it now & as long as coming study results are okay.) It's a narrow authorization, but at least it's a start. Gift 🎁 link: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/h...

5345d ago

Onyx Sage2

Thank you kindly for the gift link.

Elizabeth RN-C, MSN2

According to NBC News, although this is FDA approved, it is not ACIP recommended as a judge prevented that committee from meeting. Therefore, most insurances will not cover it.

Quoting this

Laura Haynes👩‍🔬⚾️🐾💙8

Excellent news for the upcoming flu season

Ars Technica

@arstechnica.com

While the unanimous support from FDA advisors boded well for Moderna’s shot, the overall path to approval was treacherous and uncertain, even until the end.

5144d ago

Ian Weissman, DO

@drianweissman.bsky.social

FDA approves the first mRNA flu vaccine. Unlike conventional manufacturing, the mRNA platform allows for streamlined development and rapid responses to emerging mutations in viruses. www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...

4344d ago

Karrie Jacobs

@karrieurbanist.bsky.social

“The FDA on Wednesday approved the first mRNA flu vaccine, enabling use of a technology that will make it easier to rapidly target a widely prevalent or particularly virulent strain of the virus.” This is happening despite RFK Jr.’s efforts to stifle the development and approval of mRNA vaccines.

4545d ago

stephthethird.bsky.social1

This is such wonderful news. We are eagerly watching and waiting for this to be approved by Health Canada.

Deborah Lynn

@mrsdeborahlynn.bsky.social

www.cnn.com/2026/08/05/h... FDA approved the United States’ first mRNA-based flu vaccine for adults 50 and older. New vaccine was found to be about 27% more effective during the 2024–25 respiratory virus season than standard flu shots in Moderna’s study of 40,000 adults 50 and older.

3144d ago