FDA panel considers a first-of-its-kind flu vaccine using mRNA technology

US health advisers are debating a new kind of flu vaccine Thursday, the first made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the Covid-19 pandemic. Moderna is seeking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its new shot , dubbed mFlusiva, as an option for people 50 and older. The FDA advisory committee meeting is a step toward a final decision ahead of the winter flu season. Tens of thousands of Americans die from influenza every year, and older adults are among the most vulnerable. There are various types of flu vaccines already available in the US, including three specifically recommended for people 65 and older. But vaccines made with the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology are faster to manufacture than other types – something experts say might help if the shape-shifting flu virus mutates in a way that requires suddenly brewing new doses to match. In a study of 40,000 people age 50 and older, Moderna’s mRNA vaccine reduced flu cases by about 27% compared to those given another routinely used vaccine brand. Ahead of the meeting, FDA published a favorable review of that data and reported no safety concerns. Moderna is seeking full approval for the vaccine’s use in the 50- to 64-year-old population – along with authorization for use in those 65 and older while it conducts additional testing. …