FDA advisory panel endorses Moderna mRNA flu vaccine that was subject of controversy
StatNews reports:
By Helen Branswell
Brief excerpt:
“A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration gave its endorsement Thursday to a seasonal mRNA flu vaccine that was developed by Moderna and that earlier this year became the subject of controversy when a top agency official briefly refused to even consider accepting it for review.
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee — known as VRBPAC — voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for both adults ages 50 to 64, and those 65 and older. It remains to be seen what the FDA will decide, but staff presentations during the meeting suggested the agency sees the vaccine as having cleared sufficient hurdles to be licensed via a traditional pathway for the younger group, and an accelerated pathway for the older group.”
My comments:
We don’t typically think of seasonal influenza as a deadly disease but it is especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Here are the statistics I was able to compile using AI for the calendar years 2020 - 2025:
Annual US Flu Death Estimates by SeasonFlu SeasonEstimated US DeathsHistorical Context & Notes:
2024–2025. 45,000 deathsClassified as a high-severity season; numbers returned to prepandemic highs.
2023–2024 28,000 deathsA moderate season with traditional winter spikes primarily affecting older demographics.
2022–2023. 21,000 deathsMarked the formal return of standard influenza transmission after pandemic lows.
2021–2022. 4,900 deathsA highly unusual, mild season with prolonged but low-level viral activity.2020–2021Minimal (748 coded)The CDC could not reliably model a mathematical estimate due to virtually nonexistent flu transmission.
2019–2020. 22,000 deathsFlu activity was abruptly cut short in March 2020 by nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns.
The unusually low numbers for ‘21 - ‘22 were likely due to social isolation and precautions for COVID-19.
Use of the revolutionary mRNA technology has led to the ability of manufacturers to rapidly tailor the vaccine to the specific strains of flu that are prevalent thus being able to deliver effective vaccines quicker and in adequate supplies to meet demand.
This technology has saved thousands of lives in the United States alone during the COVID pandemic and both of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer & Moderna) proved superior to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine using the older manufacturing techniques.
mRNA techniques show tremendous promise even against non-infectious threats such as metabolic diseases and cancers.
By Helen Branswell
Brief excerpt:
“A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration gave its endorsement Thursday to a seasonal mRNA flu vaccine that was developed by Moderna and that earlier this year became the subject of controversy when a top agency official briefly refused to even consider accepting it for review.
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee — known as VRBPAC — voted unanimously that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for both adults ages 50 to 64, and those 65 and older. It remains to be seen what the FDA will decide, but staff presentations during the meeting suggested the agency sees the vaccine as having cleared sufficient hurdles to be licensed via a traditional pathway for the younger group, and an accelerated pathway for the older group.”
My comments:
We don’t typically think of seasonal influenza as a deadly disease but it is especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Here are the statistics I was able to compile using AI for the calendar years 2020 - 2025:
Annual US Flu Death Estimates by SeasonFlu SeasonEstimated US DeathsHistorical Context & Notes:
2024–2025. 45,000 deathsClassified as a high-severity season; numbers returned to prepandemic highs.
2023–2024 28,000 deathsA moderate season with traditional winter spikes primarily affecting older demographics.
2022–2023. 21,000 deathsMarked the formal return of standard influenza transmission after pandemic lows.
2021–2022. 4,900 deathsA highly unusual, mild season with prolonged but low-level viral activity.2020–2021Minimal (748 coded)The CDC could not reliably model a mathematical estimate due to virtually nonexistent flu transmission.
2019–2020. 22,000 deathsFlu activity was abruptly cut short in March 2020 by nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns.
The unusually low numbers for ‘21 - ‘22 were likely due to social isolation and precautions for COVID-19.
Use of the revolutionary mRNA technology has led to the ability of manufacturers to rapidly tailor the vaccine to the specific strains of flu that are prevalent thus being able to deliver effective vaccines quicker and in adequate supplies to meet demand.
This technology has saved thousands of lives in the United States alone during the COVID pandemic and both of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer & Moderna) proved superior to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine using the older manufacturing techniques.
mRNA techniques show tremendous promise even against non-infectious threats such as metabolic diseases and cancers.
