FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50+
The FDA has approved Moderna’s mRNA-1010 flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, with accelerated approval granted for those 65 and up.
Updated last month3 new reports, including New York Post, Fox News, PBS NewsHour.
The short version
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccine on August 5. The vaccine, developed by Moderna, is authorized for adults 50 and older ahead of the 2026-2027 flu season.
The FDA approved Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, on August 5, 2026.2,3,4,5,6,8,7 The vaccine is authorized for adults aged 50 and older.1,3,4,8,7 Moderna announced the approval in a statement on August 5.1,3,4,5,8,7
The FDA’s advisors unanimously voted in June to recommend approval of the vaccine.4 The vaccine uses the same mRNA platform as Moderna’s COVID-19 shots.7 The approval comes ahead of the 2026-2027 flu season.5,7
The vaccine is intended to provide an alternative to traditional flu vaccines.2,3 Federal health agencies have previously limited recommendations for flu vaccines in some groups.2 The FDA’s approval follows a review process that included significant scrutiny.4,6
Why it matters
mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response, similar to the technology used in some COVID-19 vaccines.7
The FDA’s accelerated approval pathway allows for earlier authorization of vaccines based on promising early data, with confirmatory trials required later.7
Seasonal flu vaccines are updated annually to match circulating influenza virus strains.2,5
This account was written from the 8 reports listed below, filed by 8 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.
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