FDA Public Comment Opportunity: Moderna's Influenza Vaccine
We need improved flu vaccine options; Submit a public comment to the FDA by Wednesday, June 17
Please join me in making a public comment advocating for improved influenza vaccine options to the FDA’s VRBPAC committee by this Wednesday, June 17.
The FDA initially refused to review Moderna’s submission, due to antivaccine interference by agency leadership. The FDA later reversed course. Recent clinical trial results show superior effectiveness of Moderna’s vaccine (mRNA-1010/mFLUSIVA) compared to a standard-dose flu vaccine. If approved, this vaccine would become the first mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccine in the US.
View the docket here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2026-N-4162
See the meeting page for additional meeting details and for oral comment registration: https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee-june-18-2026-meeting-announcement
Below are some key talking points for your comment, and a sample comment is below the divider. Please feel free to copy, modify, and share any of the text for your own advocacy.
We need improved influenza vaccine options, especially for adults over age 50
Moderna’s mRNA vaccine platform allows the opportunity for more timely updates
FDA reviews must proceed on the basis of scientific expert input and without interference from people with antiscience or antivaccine views
You should also include brief comments about why influenza vaccination matters to you and your community.
Docket: FDA-2026-N-4162
June 14, 2026
Public Comment for the FDA VRBPAC Meeting on June 18, 2026
To the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee:
I have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
I am writing in strong support of enhanced and increased influenza vaccination options. Moderna’s mRNA vaccine platform has the added advantage of allowing more timely updates to match circulating strains and to tailor to emerging pathogens such as H5N1 avian influenza. Influenza vaccine effectiveness typically ranges from about 30-60% in the US [1, 2], leaving substantial room for improvement.
Approval of enhanced vaccine options must also be accompanied by effective vaccine campaigns. 2025-2026 influenza vaccination rates were only 46% in all adults, and 48% in adults age 65 and older [3].
FDA’s initial refusal to review Moderna’s influenza vaccine [4] appeared to be the result of antivaccine interference. Vaccine approvals must be based on scientific evidence along with expert review. These approvals must proceed without unnecessary delays.
References
CDC. CDC Seasonal Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Studies. Flu Vaccines Work. April 6, 2026. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/php/effectiveness-studies/index.html
Maloney P, Reeves EL, Wielgosz K, et al. Interim Estimates of 2025–26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States, September 2025–February 2026. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026;75(9):116-123. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7509a2
CDC. Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard. FluVaxView. May 18, 2026. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.html
Lupkin S. FDA reverses course on Moderna flu shot. NPR. February 18, 2026. Accessed June 14, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718116/fda-moderna-mrna-flu-shot