mRNA vaccine outperforms standard flu jabs

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-07 07:00

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mRNA-based flu vaccination could outperform traditional flu shots at preventing influenza diagnosis, according to international research during the 2024-2025 Northern Hemisphere flu season. Vaccine manufacturer Moderna developed a messenger-RNA vaccine - the same mechanism used for the company's COVID-19 vaccine - that acted on the same three influenza strains as the regular flu shot for that year. They compared rates of influenza diagnosis in 40,703 participants who had the Moderna vaccine with 20,353 people who had the standard flu shot, all aged over 50, over several months. The researchers say 2% of the Moderna cohort developed the flu, compared to 2.8% of the standard flu shot group. Those given the mRNA vaccine were more likely to have mild to moderate reactions including injection site pain, fatigue and headache, the researchers say, though these symptoms were temporary.