Adults over age 50 face a higher risk of hospitalization and death from influenza each year. Now, a new mRNA flu vaccine is offering another option for older adults.
“The mRNA vaccine works almost 30% better than the traditional vaccine in the elderly. It will protect them from seasonal flu, but they will also start to generate immunity against other parts of the flu virus that don't change,” said Deborah Fuller, a professor of microbiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine who researches vaccines and antivirals for infectious diseases.
Fuller said the mRNA vaccine can produce antibodies that recognize a broader range of influenza viruses and also train certain white blood cells to provide another layer of immune protection. The technology builds on the same mRNA platform used in COVID-19 vaccines.
Fuller encourages people to talk with their doctor about which flu vaccine is right for them. The development of an mRNA flu vaccine, she said, is an important step after decades of research into the technology.
“Having a vaccine is better than not having a vaccine. And mRNA vaccines are safe. They are effective,” she said.
Download video soundbites and other broadcast-quality resources with Fuller.
