Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Outperforms Traditional Shot in Trial
▼ Summary
– Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, was 27% more effective at preventing influenza infections than standard flu shots in a trial of nearly 41,000 people aged 50 and above.
– The mRNA vaccine showed 26.6% higher overall efficacy and 27.4% higher efficacy in participants aged 65+ compared to standard shots.
– Previous trial data indicated mRNA-1010 generated stronger immune responses than both standard and high-dose flu shots.
– The trial results follow one of the worst flu seasons in years, with 770,000 US hospitalizations during the 2024–2025 season.
– Moderna’s CEO highlighted the potential of mRNA flu vaccines to better match circulating strains, respond to pandemics, and enable combination vaccines with COVID-19.
Moderna’s experimental mRNA flu vaccine has demonstrated superior protection compared to conventional flu shots in a large-scale clinical trial. The company reported its mRNA-1010 vaccine reduced influenza infections by approximately 27% more than traditional vaccines, marking a potential breakthrough in seasonal flu prevention.
The phase 3 trial involved nearly 41,000 participants aged 50 and older across multiple countries. Researchers randomly administered either the mRNA vaccine or standard flu shots, then monitored outcomes throughout the flu season. Results showed the mRNA formulation provided 26.6% greater overall protection, with even stronger performance (27.4%) among adults over 65 – a demographic particularly vulnerable to severe flu complications.
This builds on earlier findings that Moderna’s candidate triggered more robust immune responses than both regular and high-dose flu vaccines. The timing proves especially relevant following an exceptionally severe 2024-2025 flu season, which saw 770,000 U.S. hospitalizations according to CDC estimates.
Moderna’s CEO highlighted the broader implications of these results, noting mRNA technology could enable faster adaptation to circulating flu strains and simplify combination vaccines targeting multiple respiratory viruses. Unlike traditional egg-based production methods that take months, mRNA platforms allow quicker updates to match evolving viral variants – a critical advantage given influenza’s rapid mutation rate.
While regulatory review still lies ahead, these findings suggest mRNA vaccines may soon transform flu prevention much as they revolutionized COVID-19 immunization. The data also reinforces growing confidence in mRNA’s versatility beyond pandemic applications, potentially opening doors to improved protection against other seasonal viruses.
(Source: Ars Technica)
