U.S. approves Moderna's mRNA vaccine for flu—the first of its kind

The FDA approved Moderna's mFlusiva, the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, late Wednesday. The approval covers adults aged 50 to 64 and those 65 and older, with Moderna required to conduct a further postmarket clinical trial to confirm effectiveness in the older group. Past trial data showed the vaccine was about 27 percent more effective than a standard flu shot. The approval came after the FDA initially declined to review the shot earlier this year before reversing that decision a week later, and it occurred under an HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been a vocal critic of mRNA vaccines and whose agency has canceled millions in funding for mRNA vaccine research.