Drugmakers Roll Out First mRNA Flu Vaccine as H1N1 Mutation Threatens This Season’s Match
Updated
Updated · HSPH News · Oct 29
Drugmakers Roll Out First mRNA Flu Vaccine as H1N1 Mutation Threatens This Season’s Match
3 articles · Updated · HSPH News · Oct 29
Summary
The first mRNA flu vaccine has been introduced this season, giving manufacturers a faster way to update shots if influenza mutates after strain selection.
That speed matters because standard flu vaccines are still largely made in eggs—a roughly 6-month process that can leave the final shot mismatched by the time flu season arrives.
This year, 2 of 3 selected flu strains appear to match well, but H1N1 has picked up a mutation that may reduce effectiveness, with children and adolescents seen as especially exposed.
The FDA has licensed the mRNA flu shot only for people 50 and older, and some evidence suggests it works better than standard flu vaccines in that age group.
With U.S. flu activity starting early and COVID XFG-lineage viruses still circulating, experts advise getting whichever flu and COVID vaccines are available without delaying.