You Flu Shot Could be Better than You Think with
the NEW mRNA Vaccine
A New Flu Vaccine Option Has Arrived
Flu season can be serious, especially as we get older or manage chronic health conditions. The good news is that flu vaccination continues to evolve. Moderna’s MFLUSIVA is the first FDA-approved mRNA vaccine for seasonal flu, giving eligible adults a new option to discuss with a doctor or pharmacist.
Like other vaccines, MFLUSIVA trains the immune system to recognize influenza viruses. Its mRNA technology delivers temporary instructions that help the body make a protein response; it does not change a person’s DNA. That immune response helps the body prepare to recognize and fight the flu virus later.
What the Clinical Study Found
In a Phase 3 study of adults ages 50 and older, MFLUSIVA was compared with a licensed standard-dose flu vaccine. The study’s per-protocol analysis included more than 40,000 participants. MFLUSIVA showed 26.6% higher relative efficacy against PCR-confirmed influenza-like illness than the standard-dose comparison vaccine during that study season.
That result is encouraging, but it does not mean one shot is automatically the best choice for every person or every flu season. Vaccine recommendations depend on age, medical history, available products, and current public-health guidance.
Who Can Get the Moderna mRNA Vaccine?
MFLUSIVA is FDA-approved for adults age 50 and older. It is not approved for children or younger adults. For adults 65 and older, the FDA approval is based on immune-response data and is subject to continued confirmation of clinical benefit. Adults in this age group should ask a clinician or pharmacist which flu vaccine is right for them, since CDC guidance gives preference to certain higher-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted options when available.
Mild, short-lived side effects are common after vaccination. In studies, the most frequently reported reactions included pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint aches, and chills. A healthcare professional can help people with prior severe allergic reactions, a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome after a flu shot, or other health concerns weigh the benefits and risks.
Why Annual Flu Vaccination Still Matters
The most important message is simple: getting a recommended flu vaccine each season can reduce the chance of illness, medical visits, hospitalizations, and missed time at work, school, or home. For most people, vaccination is ideally offered in September or October, although it can still be worthwhile later in the season while flu viruses are circulating.
Kids Health: MFLUSIVA is not for children, but seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for most people ages 6 months and older. Parents and caregivers should ask a child’s healthcare provider which age-appropriate vaccines are recommended.
Women’s Health: Flu can disrupt pregnancy, work, caregiving, and everyday life. People who are pregnant should speak with their prenatal-care team about the recommended inactivated or recombinant flu vaccine options for pregnancy.
Men’s Health: Staying current on flu vaccination can be especially important for men managing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, or kidney disease. A pharmacy or primary-care visit is a convenient time to review flu vaccine options.
Talk With Your Healthcare Professional
If you are 50 or older, ask whether Moderna’s MFLUSIVA mRNA vaccine is an appropriate flu-vaccination option for you. If you are younger, pregnant, arranging a child’s vaccination, or have a medical condition, ask which of the available flu vaccines fits your age and health needs.
A new technology does not change the value of a familiar step: seasonal vaccination remains one of the most practical ways to protect yourself and the people around you from flu.
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