FDA’s abrupt flip-flop on Moderna’s mRNA flu shot highlights growing risks to drug-makers of investing in vaccines

After pushback, the agency reversed course and agreed to review Moderna’s application after all.

By: Ana Santos Rutschman, Villanova University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 19, 2026

Words: 758

Last Updated: 4 days, 11 hours ago

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By Ana Santos Rutschman, Villanova University

The Food and Drug Administration’s decision, made public on Feb. 10, 2026, to not review an application to approve Moderna’s proposed mRNA-based flu vaccine set off a firestorm of criticism from public health experts.

But just a week later, on Feb. 18, the FDA backtracked on its decision, saying that it will indeed review the vaccine, potentially in time for its approval for the 2025-26 …

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