New mRNA flu vaccine for adults over 50 is 'more effective,' UW Medicine says - KOMO
UW Medicine reports that a new mRNA-based flu vaccine is available for adults over 50, offering nearly 30% higher effectiveness than traditional shots. The vaccine is designed to combat immunosenescence and provide broader protection against influenza strains.
Why it matters
As flu-related hospitalizations and deaths disproportionately affect older populations, this technology represents a significant advancement in preventative care for high-risk demographics.
Flu season is right around the corner, and this year, so is a new type of vaccine. Adults 50 and older are eligible for a new mRNA flu vaccine, developed using the same technology as COVID-19 vaccines. The new shot is almost 30% more effective than the traditional vaccine, according to UW Medicine, for older adults at higher risk of hospitalization or death. SEE ALSO | From colds to measles: What parents should watch for this school year "Anybody over 50, their immune system undergoes what we call 'immunosenescence '; it starts to get old, and it doesn't respond as well to vaccines as we did when we were young," said Dr. Deborah Fuller, with UW Medicine. The mRNA vaccine can produce antibodies that recognize a broader range of influenza viruses and offers more durable protection, she explained. Last flu season, 253 flu-related deaths were recorded in Washington state.
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