Updated 1w+ ago · Health

FDA Approves Moderna mRNA Flu Shot Despite Safety Questions

The FDA on Wednesday approved mFlusiva, Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, for adults 50 and older. It is the first flu vaccine using mRNA technology to receive FDA approval.

26.6% more effective than a standard-dose flu vaccine in a 40,000-person trial.
Traditional approval covers adults 50–64; accelerated approval covers adults 65 and older.
Moderna must run an additional study to confirm benefit in adults 65 and older.
$750 million in projected U.S. sales of the flu shot and a combo COVID-flu vaccine by 2030, per Jefferies analysts.

Why it matters: mRNA vaccines take two to three months from strain selection to rollout, versus about six months for traditional egg-based shots, potentially allowing a closer match to circulating strains each season.

Traditional flu shot effectiveness ranges from 22% to 56%, per the Mayo Clinic.
Without a CDC advisory committee recommendation, private insurers likely won't cover mFlusiva and federal distribution programs cannot direct its use, according to Dr. Ofer Levy of Boston Children's Hospital.

How 40 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 40 sources

40 sources · 45 articles · 40% Right coverage

Where they split: Coverage divides on whether the approval marks a public health advance or a fraught regulatory process shaped by political pressure on mRNA technology.

Center coverage, 11 sources: The center treats the approval as a business and regulatory story, noting the FDA's turbulent leadership changes and the commercial pressure on Moderna to prove mRNA's long-term viability.

CTV News1w+U.S. FDA approves first mRNA flu shot from Moderna Associated Press1w+New kind of flu shot is on the way as the FDA approves Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine Engadget1w+FDA Approves Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine After Initially Refusing To Review It Forbes1w+FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Vaccine For Older Adults NPR1w+A new flu vaccine geared to older people is coming soon PBS NewsHour1w+New kind of flu shot is on the way as the FDA approves Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine Reuters1w+US FDA approves first mRNA flu shot from Moderna The Conversation1w+First mRNA flu shot approved by FDA bodes well for improving drugs of the future – though a few hurdles remain before mRNA can move beyond vaccines The Hill1w+FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine The National Desk1w+New mRNA flu vaccine expected this fall after FDA approval USA Today1w+FDA approves 1st flu shot using same technology as COVID vaccines

Left coverage, 13 sources: The left frames the approval as a hard-won scientific milestone undermined by the Trump administration's hostility to mRNA technology and RFK Jr.'s dismantling of the vaccine advisory process.

CNN1w+FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine NBC News1w+FDA approves 1st mRNA flu shot, from Moderna The Independent1w+FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine. Here’s what it could mean for future medicines ABC News1w+FDA approves Moderna's mRNA seasonal flu vaccine Boston.com1w+New kind of flu shot is on the way as the FDA approves Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine CBS News1w+FDA approves Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine after initial pushback Political Wire1w+FDA Approves the First mRNA-based Flu Shot Slate1w+A Better Flu Vaccine Is Possible, if Team RFK Jr. Stays Out of the Way The Boston Globe1w+FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine The Guardian1w+The mRNA technology behind Moderna’s Covid vaccine reaches the flu The New York Times1w+F.D.A. Approves Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Time1w+FDA Approves the First mRNA Flu Vaccine Vox1w+The flu shot finally gets an upgrade

Right coverage, 16 sources: The right reports the approval as straightforward regulatory news, foregrounding the trial data, competitive market landscape, and Moderna's revenue outlook.

NTD1w+FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Vaccine From Moderna The Epoch Times1w+Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Approved by FDA ZeroHedge1w+Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine Approved By FDA American Greatness1w+Morning Greatness: FDA Approves Moderna’s mRNA Seasonal Flu Vaccine Citizen Free Press1w+FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine.Daily Mail1w+New mRNA flu shot set to roll out - adults over 50 urged to get shot which uses same tech as controversial Covid vaccine Fox News1w+FDA approves first-ever mRNA flu vaccine for millions of older Americans Just the News1w+Return of the rubber stamp? First mRNA flu vaccine has far higher injury rate than standard jabs Legal Insurrection1w+FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Vaccine for Older Adults New York Post1w+FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine PJ Media1w+FDA Greenlights Novel Moderna mRNA Flu Shots RedState1w+Despite RFK Jr.'s Opposition, FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Vaccines The National Pulse1w+After Initial Rejection, FDA Greenlights First mRNA Flu Vaccine.The Washington Times1w+FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine after reversing its own rejection The Western Journal1w+Here We Go Again: FDA Approves First-Ever Moderna mRNA Flu Shot, Reportedly With No Key Testing, Worse Safety Than Normal Flu Shots Washington Examiner1w+FDA approves first mRNA flu vaccine

What’s next: The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet in October, but a federal judge has blocked it from convening after RFK Jr. replaced all its members.

Moderna does not expect meaningful revenue until the second half of 2027, having missed the 2026 contracting cycle.
Will the ACIP convene in October, and will it formally recommend mFlusiva in time to affect coverage for this flu season?
Can Moderna secure insurer and federal program coverage before the fall rollout without an ACIP recommendation?
Will the FDA eventually grant full rather than accelerated approval for adults 65 and older, pending the additional trial?