US says that it will review Moderna flu vaccine it previously declined

Al JazeeraEN 2 min read 100% complete by By Reuters and The Associated PressFebruary 18, 2026 at 07:04 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In February 2026, the FDA reversed its earlier decision and agreed to review Moderna's application for its new flu vaccine. The application seeks full approval for use in adults aged 50-64 and expedited approval for those over 65. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel expressed optimism that the vaccine could be available later in the year. The FDA's initial rejection, citing the lack of a high-dose comparator in Moderna's trial, had raised concerns within the pharmaceutical industry, especially given the Trump administration's stance on vaccine guidelines and safety. Moderna stated the initial rejection did not identify any safety or efficacy concerns. The FDA's decision to review the application now offers hope for a new flu vaccine option.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Vinay Prasad 35% Robert F Kennedy Jr 40% Donald Trump 50% Stephane Bancel ×260% United States ×270% Moderna ×790% Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ×795%

Keywords

flu vaccine 100% fda approval 80% moderna 70% vaccine review 60% vaccine guidelines 50% pharmaceutical industry 50% high-dose brand 40% older adults 40%