The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Moderna's new seasonal flu vaccine, making it the first mRNA-based flu shot to receive approval. The vaccine, named mFlusiva, is intended for adults aged 50 and older, the drugmaker announced late Wednesday.
Moderna said it expects some of the vaccine to be available soon at select retailers. The approval came after the FDA initially refused to review the company's request for the shot, according to reports.
In a separate development, Health Canada has approved a Phase I clinical trial for Moderna's mRNA Ebola vaccine candidate, which targets the Bundibugyo virus. Canada is the second country to authorize such a trial, following the United Kingdom, federal officials said in a news release.