Washington University Medicine researchers say an experimental mRNA-based flu vaccine protects against a wide array of influenza strains.
Wash U Medicine immunologist Dr. Hanover Matz is co-author of this new study that appears in the journal Nature Immunology.
"We were not surprised to see the mRNA vaccine could stimulate a strong immune response. We knew that when we had done prior studies looking at mRNA-based vaccines to COVID-19. We were surprised the mRNA vaccine was able to generate immunity against so many different types of influenza virus. That's a real advantage compared to the regular flu vaccine."
And that, he says, could help your flu shot protect you better when the conventional vaccine misses the mark with what current strain is circulating out there. The FDA is expected to decide whether to approve Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine by August.
There may be a better flu vaccine in the works.
There may be a better flu vaccine in the works.
