FDA panel gives nod to Moderna flu shot

Comments: by Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi - 06/18/26 7:37 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi - 06/18/26 7:37 PM ET Comments: Link copied Presented by Planned Parenthood{beacon} The FDA s independent vaccine advisors voted unanimously 9-0 that the benefits outweigh the risks for Moderna s mFlusiva shot in people ages 50 to 64 as well as 65 and older. The shot is the first of its kind to be developed with mRNA technology. Moderna is seeking standard approval for its vaccine in the younger group and an accelerated approval in the older one. The company will be required to run an additional clinical trial after the vaccine reaches the market in the older group. Despite the green light Thursday, the next steps are uncertain. Advisory committee recommendations are non-binding, and the FDA needs to make a final decision on approval by Aug. 5. Currently, the agency has no permanent vaccine chief nor a commissioner, so it s not clear who will make the final call. The vaccine then needs to be formally recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s (CDC) advisory committee, which a federal judge has blocked from meeting with its current membership. Once the panel makes a recommendation, the CDC director will decide whether to adopt it, change it or reject it. CDC also has no permanent director; National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya is the acting CDC director. According to company data, Moderna s vaccine reduced flu cases by about 27 percent compared with those from the standard dose vaccine in adults 50 and older. In a smaller study of people ages 65 and older, the mRNA shot generated a strong protective immune response compared with an existing high-dose flu vaccine already recommended for that age group. Welcome to The Hill s Healthcare newsletter, we re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. A new all-access digital subscription from The Hill — launching July 2026. Join the waitlist to be among the first inside How policy will be impacting the healthcare sector this week and beyond: Ebola outbreak zone cases up almost 40 percent in a week A first-of-its-kind flu shot is a step closer to being available to the public after a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend Moderna s mRNA-based vaccine for approval. The FDA s independent vaccine advisors voted unanimously 9-0 that the benefits outweigh the risks for Moderna s mFlusiva shot in people ages 50 to 64 as well as 65 and older. Moderna is seeking … Cancer patients are choosing ivermectin over chemo, and doctors are concerned The Ebola outbreak in Congo that s spread across parts of Africa has killed more than 200 people in its first month and is considered the worst known outbreak at this stage, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday. Ebola cases have surged 38 percent since last week, spreading across 32 health zones in eastern Congo. Health officials at Africa CDC said the current outbreak, with 894 confirmed … Senate Dems launch investigation into RFK Jr. vaccine panel changes (NEXSTAR) – Ivermectin, the anti-parasitic medication most commonly used as a dewormer in animals, is back in the limelight. This time it has nothing to do with COVID-19. More patients are seeking out the drug in hopes it will help fight their cancer. A study analyzing electronic medical records from 68 million patients found ivermectin prescriptions for cancer patients more than doubled from January 2025 to July 2025. Relative … His father s Alzheimer s was never discussed. But when Pako received his own early Alzheimer s diagnosis, he chose a different path — to live openly and embrace everyday moments. Read more Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Alfredo sauce distributed to dozens of states recalled due to potential salmonella contamination WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have issued a recall for alfredo sauce distributed to dozens of U.S. states by a supplier because of potential salmonella contamination. The sauce was voluntarily recalled by the supplier because it contained a dry milk powder ingredient that was possibly contaminated with salmonella, according … Local and state headlines on healthcare: Health news we ve flagged from other outlets: Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: You re all caught up. See you next week! Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

FDA panel gives nod to Moderna flu shot

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FDA panel gives nod to Moderna flu shot

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