As FDA Approves First-Ever mRNA Flu Vaccine For Older Adults, Past KFF Polling Showed Most In This Age Group Were Uncertain About the Technology’s Safety

August 7, 2026 - 22:40

On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the green light to the first messenger RNA flu vaccine for adults aged 50 and older. The decision came after a clinical trial involving roughly 40,000 participants, marking a significant step in the use of mRNA technology beyond its initial role in COVID-19 shots.

But a gap between scientific approval and public confidence appears to remain. Polling conducted by KFF in April 2025 found that a majority of adults in that same age group were uncertain about whether mRNA vaccines are safe. The survey suggested that while many had received mRNA-based COVID shots, they did not necessarily transfer that trust to a new flu vaccine built on the same platform.

The new vaccine, which targets multiple flu strains, is designed to offer stronger and longer-lasting protection than traditional egg-based shots. Federal regulators emphasized that the trial data showed no serious safety concerns, with side effects similar to those seen in standard flu vaccines, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, and mild fever.

Still, health officials face the challenge of addressing lingering doubts. The KFF findings highlighted that older adults, a group particularly vulnerable to severe flu complications, were split between those who believed mRNA vaccines were safe and those who were simply unsure. Only a small share said they believed the technology was unsafe.

Experts say the approval could pave the way for annual updates to the shot, similar to how mRNA COVID boosters are adjusted. But public health campaigns will likely need to focus on clear communication about how the technology works and why regulators consider it safe, especially for the age group now eligible to receive it.