SEATTLE — Flu season is fast approaching, and this year, so is a new type of vaccine.
Adults 50 and older are eligible for a new mRNA flu vaccine, developed using the same technology as COVID-19 vaccines.
The new vaccine is nearly 30% more effective than the traditional vaccine, according to UW Medicine, for older adults at higher risk of hospitalization or death.
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“Everyone over the age of 50 experiences what we call “immunsenescence”; he’s starting to get older and he’s not responding as well to vaccines as we did when we were young,” said Dr. Deborah Fuller, of UW Medicine.
The mRNA vaccine can produce antibodies that recognize a wider range of flu viruses and provide longer-lasting protection, she explained.
Last flu season, there were 253 flu-related deaths in Washington state. In the previous season, 2024-25, Washington recorded 508 flu deaths. Of these deaths, more than 91% of cases involved people aged 50 and over.
“I’ve had the flu a few times; you’re sick for 10 days,” said Bob Aristarco of Seattle. “I don’t want this!”
After contracting Covid-19, Aristarco said he and his wife were sure to get flu shots at the start of each season.
mFLUSIVA, the new vaccine, is being rolled out to pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, but not all local pharmacies are expected to have the vaccine available yet. Fuller recommends that anyone over the age of 50 consult their doctor or pharmacist before receiving the new vaccine, especially if they have had a severe reaction to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
“It’s better to have a vaccine than not to have a vaccine,” Fuller continued, “and mRNA vaccines are safe, they’re effective, they’ve been proven.”
For these reasons, Chuck Gould and his wife are sure to get their flu shots every season.
“I think there’s a lot more hysteria about vaccinations than there needs to be right now,” Gould said. “Science always has the opportunity to develop, improve and make things better.”
In clinical trials, the new mFLUSIVA vaccine caused greater side effects than the traditional flu vaccine, Fuller confirmed. These side effects include fatigue, muscle and joint pain.
Last flu season, 29.2% of eligible Washingtonians received a flu vaccine, according to the Department of Health.
Adults 65 and older are likely to benefit from the new mRNA flu vaccine covered by Medicare plans. It’s unclear which private insurance companies will cover the new shot for adults ages 50 to 64.
KOMO News has contacted the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner for more information.
Gn Health
