Moderna's New mRNA Flu Vaccine Demonstrates Superior Protection in Older Adults

Moderna has announced promising results from its latest flu vaccine, which utilizes the advanced mRNA technology similar to the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine, designated mRNA-1010, was evaluated in a comprehensive Phase 3 clinical trial involving adults aged 50 and above. The study found that this new formulation provided a 26.6% greater overall protection against influenza compared to traditional standard-dose flu vaccines. Notably, among seniors aged 65 and older, the vaccine showed an impressive 27.4% improvement in preventing the flu.

The ongoing flu season was particularly severe, highlighting the urgent need for more effective immunization options. Moderna's CEO, Stéphane Bancel, emphasized that an mRNA-based flu vaccine could allow for a more accurate match with circulating strains, facilitate rapid response during future influenza outbreaks, and potentially enable the development of combination vaccines that protect against multiple pathogens simultaneously.

The trial results were consistent across various populations, including individuals with different health statuses and those with prior flu vaccination history. Moderna plans to present the full data at upcoming medical conferences and aims to work closely with regulatory authorities to obtain approval for the vaccine.

This advancement underscores the growing interest in mRNA technology's versatility beyond COVID-19, with potential applications in seasonal flu prevention and pandemic preparedness. Following the announcement, Moderna's stock experienced a 4% increase in early trading, though shares remain down 32% for the year amid broader market fluctuations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-moderna-flu-shot-strong-results.html