Independent advisors for the Food and Drug Administration have given their seal of approval to Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against one of winter's most unwelcome guests.

The vote was unanimous, with 9-to-nothing support. The decision comes after some drama involving an agency appointee who initially tried to block the vaccine from even being reviewed. However, the all-day meeting saw members of the FDA’s advisory committee carefully scrutinise data and presentations, which were largely in favour of approving the vaccine.

The Phase 3 trial results revealed that Moderna's mRNA-1010 vaccine, branded as mFlusiva, was around 27% more effective against seasonal flu than a standard flu shot. A smaller study showed it produced stronger immune responses than a high-dose flu vaccine for those aged 65 and over, making the new vaccine an exciting development in flu protection.

Dr Flor Munoz-Rivas, a VRBPAC voting member from Baylor College of Medicine, praised the studies as robust and expressed enthusiasm about the mRNA platform's agility. 'This rapid development allows us to be better prepared for emerging strains or future pandemics,' she said, highlighting the versatility of this technology.