As FDA Approves First-Ever mRNA Flu Vaccine For Older Adults, Past KFF Polling Showed Most In This Age Group Were Uncertain About the Technology’s Safety Published: August 7, 2026

https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/as-fda-approves-first-ever-mrna-flu-vaccine-for-older-adults-past-kff-polling-showed-most-in-this-age-group-were-uncertain-about-the-technologys-safety/ On August 5, 2026 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first-ever messenger RNA (mRNA) flu vaccine for adults 50 and older. Manufactured by Moderna, the vaccine is expected to be available for the 2026-2027 season. The new vaccine was found to be safe following a trial of roughly 40,000 people, with results indicating the new shots could offer more protection than prior flu vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines were the first publicly available vaccines in the U.S. to rely on mRNA, and while studies have demonstrated that vaccines using the technology are safe and effective, mRNA technology has long been the subject of attacks and criticism by anti-vaccine groups. Last year, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of $500 million in federal funding for mRNA research.