Alliance for mRNA Medicines Welcomes FDA Approval of New mRNA Flu Vaccine

Washington D.C., August 6, 2026 — Alliance for mRNA Medicines (AMM) Executive Director Clay Alspach released the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first mRNA influenza vaccine (mFlusiva) for use in the United States:

“The approval of Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine is welcome news and a reminder of what American innovation can deliver for public health and national security. It’s also a stark reminder of where we were just a year ago, when the Department of Health and Human Services canceled $500 million in mRNA research grants. The department may have abandoned mRNA, but innovation continues to move forward and deliver new opportunities to prevent and treat disease.

“The United States has been a world leader in biomedical innovation because government, academia and the private sector have worked together to advance scientific discovery. Through countless collaborative partnerships, the United States has strengthened public health, economic competitiveness, and national security. The FDA’s approval demonstrates the extraordinary potential of RNA technology, but maintaining America’s leadership will require renewed investment in the research and infrastructure that make breakthroughs like this possible.

“This decision reaffirms that the American people are best served when innovation is encouraged, not canceled. We urge policymakers to restore the U.S. government’s commitment to RNA research. The promise of RNA extends far beyond any single disease—it has the potential to transform how we prevent, treat, and cure illness. Patients and families cannot afford to lose momentum.”

Alliance for mRNA Medicines (AMM)
The Alliance for mRNA Medicines (AMM) is dedicated to advancing and advocating for an RNA platform approach to medicine, including protein replacements, gene editing and cell engineering strategies, immunotherapies and vaccines to treat cancer, rare disease, autoimmunity and other chronic and infectious illnesses for the benefit of patients, public health, and society.

We advance this mission by shaping policy, accelerating regulatory science, expanding access, and enabling manufacturing — while convening the scientists, innovators, and industry leaders who are turning RNA’s promise into reality. Our goal is simple: ensure that transformative RNA medicines reach every patient who needs them. Learn more at https://mrnamedicines.org