First mRNA flu vaccine approved for adults 50 and older to boost protection

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - As flu season approaches, local health officials are urging older adults to look into a newly approved, highly effective defense against the virus.

The FDA recently approved the first-ever messenger-RNA (mRNA) based influenza vaccine for adults aged 50 and older, offering a significant boost in protection compared to traditional flu shots.

According to the Alabama Department of Health, the flu kills approximately 36,000 people nationwide every year, and the vast majority of those victims are elderly.

Dr. Ali Hassoun, a Huntsville-based infectious disease specialist, explained that the virus hits older immune systems much harder, often leading to severe complications like pneumonia or even organ failure.

“Compared to the younger population, the death rate with the elderly continues to be high,” Dr. Hassoun said. “And that’s why we always advise vaccination, especially in that patient population 50 and above.”

While standard flu shots are only about 40% to 50% effective in older adults, clinical trials show this new mRNA vaccine adds an extra 26% boost in overall protection

Traditional flu vaccines rely on introducing an inactivated, or “dead,” virus to trigger an immune response.

This new mRNA technology takes a different approach.

Instead of using a physical piece of the virus, the shot delivers genetic instructions that teach your cells how to recognize a specific flu protein which allows your immune system to build a targeted defense before you are ever exposed to the actual virus.

This technology also solves a major manufacturing challenge.

Standard flu shots require using chicken eggs or cell cultures, a process that takes up to six months.

Because the virus can mutate during that long production window, the final shot is sometimes a poor match for the active strain.

By contrast, the mRNA vaccine can be updated and adjusted in a matter of weeks to match mutating strains.

Dr. Hassoun said that some people skip the shot because they think a past infection will protect them.

But he said the virus changes too fast for that.

“Having an infection before is not going to protect you completely from the new change in the virus,” Dr. Hassoun said. “Even if you have the infection and you had the shot, your chances of getting severe flu will be much, much less.”

While researchers studied younger age groups, clinical trials showed the most dramatic benefit was seen in seniors. Because of this, the FDA’s approval is currently limited to adults aged 50 and older.

The new mRNA vaccine is rolling out now for the upcoming season. Dr. Hassoun recommends discussing your options with your primary care physician to see if this new shot is the best fit for your health needs.

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