FDA committee unanimously recommends first mRNA flu vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration's top vaccine advisory committee voted Thursday to recommend an mRNA influenza vaccine. It's the first flu vaccine that uses the same technology as COVID-19 shots. STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: A Food and Drug Administration committee endorsed the first flu vaccine that uses mRNA technology. NPR health correspondent Rob Stein has the story. ROB STEIN, BYLINE: MRNA technology was both glorified and vilified during the pandemic. But the important FDA committee voted unanimously in favor of the new mRNA flu vaccine, concluding that it may have some big advantages over traditional vaccines. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted that the benefits of the new mRNA flu vaccine outweigh any risks for adults age 50 and older. Dr. Flor Munoz-Rivas is on the committee. She's an infectious disease expert at the Baylor College of Medicine. FLOR MUNOZ-RIVAS: The studies that were presented today were very well conducted. They have very clear results that are very robust in terms of demonstrating that additional efficacy above what we know existing standard vaccines can provide. STEIN: The fate of the vaccine is being closely watched because of the second Trump administration's hostility towards mRNA technology in the wake of the pandemic. The administration cut funding for mRNA vaccine research, and the FDA initially refused to even consider the flu vaccine. …