New Flu Vaccine Approved for Older Adults
After experiencing a few really tough flu seasons, there’s finally a bit of good news on the horizon: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to a new flu vaccine that promises to be more effective for older adults. The vaccine, named mFlusiva, produced by Moderna, is expected to be available this fall.
This new shot has shown a 27% increase in effectiveness compared to the traditional flu vaccine during clinical trials. It’s fully approved for those aged 50 to 64, while adults 65 and older are under a temporary accelerated approval as Moderna continues additional trials comparing mFlusiva to the current high-dose flu option for older folks.
The new vaccine is designed to be ready for the upcoming respiratory virus season, but it’s still uncertain whether it will be covered by insurance.
The New Flu Shot Utilizes mRNA Technology — And That’s a Good Thing
This vaccine is an mRNA type, similar to the technology Moderna used for its COVID-19 vaccines, as explained by Dr. S. Wesley Long, a medical director at Houston Methodist Hospital. There are important reasons for this switch to mRNA for flu vaccines. Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu, a professor at Yale School of Medicine, pointed out that the flu virus frequently changes, allowing it to evade both vaccine and natural immunity.
Because of this shifting landscape, flu vaccines are reformulated each fall to target different strains. If the vaccine matches the circulating strain well, you typically get adequate protection. But in years with a poor match, the efficacy drops significantly, leading to higher rates of illness, hospitalizations, and, unfortunately, even deaths. Last year was a rough example, marked as one of the worst flu seasons seen in 25 years.
One of the benefits of mRNA technology is that it allows for quicker production of vaccines. Dr. Ogbuagu mentioned that this means if the current predictions about circulating strains prove inaccurate, adjustments could be made in the same flu season to produce a new version of the vaccine. This adaptive capability of mRNA technology holds a lot of potential.
Despite the politicization of mRNA vaccines, they have been shown to be safe. mFlusiva was tested on approximately 40,000 participants, offering a solid background of research.
Dr. Cynthia Leifer from Cornell University explained that modifying an mRNA vaccine to fit a new variant doesn’t require a complete overhaul; instead, you just tweak a small component. This nimbleness is crucial. She described how the mRNA platform enables fast adjustments to keep up with dominant viral strains.
Expect Stronger Reactions from This More Effective Vaccine
With any immunization, it’s common to experience some mild side effects like fatigue, headache, or a low-grade fever, and this new mRNA vaccine is no exception. If you’re accustomed to standard flu shots, you might notice a stronger reaction this time around. Dr. Long noted that the mRNA vaccines tend to provoke a more robust immune response than traditional options.
Dr. Leifer also indicated that if you’ve felt significantly under the weather after receiving a COVID vaccine, you might encounter a similar reaction with mFlusiva. Most side effects will likely be mild, including soreness at the injection site and some flu-like feelings, usually lasting one to two days.
If you’re familiar with high-dose flu vaccines, it’s tricky to compare, as those also lead to more significant immune responses, according to Dr. Long, who clarified that mFlusiva was assessed against standard flu shots in trials, not the high-dose variants.
mFlusiva Set to Launch This Fall Alongside Regular Flu Shots — Both Are Good Options
The best flu shot is whichever one you can get, Dr. Leifer emphasized. If mFlusiva isn’t available the day you go for a shot, it’s advisable not to delay getting vaccinated. Waiting could mean missing the early protection during the flu season. If you have a doctor’s appointment early in the fall, just opt for the flu vaccine that’s accessible.
Whether you choose mFlusiva or the regular flu vaccine, both are effective in preventing severe flu-related outcomes, such as hospitalizations or fatalities. Dr. Ogbuagu shared that despite the various narratives surrounding mRNA vaccines, experts in the field recognize their transformative potential and safety, noting the approval of this second mRNA vaccine is a promising development.
