December 12, 2021
US biotech company Moderna on Friday announced promising data from an early-stage human trial of its mRNA flu shot, based on the same technology used in its successful COVID-19 vaccine.
The experimental flu shot was found to be safe, and successfully evoked high levels of antibodies in 180 people at all dosage levels, in both younger and older adults.
“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 3 million people died each year due to respiratory infections, and many more are hospitalized or become ill as a result of these viruses,” said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel in a statement hailing the result.
Side effects were mild, and occurred more often in younger than older adults. The most common included pain and tenderness at the injection site, as well as headaches, muscle and joint aches, and tiredness.
Read more at Science Alert.