Moderna’s Flu Vaccine Shows 26.6% Higher Efficacy Over Standard: What New Data Reveals at IDWeek 2025
Data Confirms mRNA-1010 Surpasses Standard Flu Shot in Efficacy and Safety
Moderna’s recent update at IDWeek 2025 brings new clarity to the competitive race for a more effective seasonal flu vaccine. According to late-breaking data, its mRNA-1010 candidate not only demonstrated safety in adults 50 and over but achieved a relative vaccine efficacy (rVE) of 26.6% (95% CI: 16.7%, 35.4%) over standard-dose flu vaccines. The results are especially notable because they met predefined criteria for superiority—an important regulatory and market milestone.
The benefit was consistent across multiple flu strains, including Influenza B, which has traditionally proven challenging for existing vaccines. Moreover, mRNA-1010 offered even greater protection against medically-attended (i.e., more severe) flu cases, with an rVE of 33.7% (95% CI: 12.0, 50.0%). Importantly, the candidate’s safety profile remained strong—no new safety issues were flagged, with common side effects such as injection site pain, fatigue, and headache staying within expected norms.
| Vaccine Candidate | Key Efficacy Outcome | rVE (%) | rVE 95% CI | Safety Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mRNA-1010 (Seasonal) | All flu, adults =50 | 26.60 | 16.70–35.40 | No major safety issues; mild/moderate SARs |
| mRNA-1010 (Severe) | Medically-attended flu | 33.70 | 12.00–50.00 | No major safety issues; mild/moderate SARs |
Pandemic Flu Candidate mRNA-1018 Demonstrates Rapid, Durable Immunity
Attention also centered on the mRNA-1018 candidate, aimed at H5N1 pandemic influenza. Across all tested doses in healthy adults aged 18 and up, Moderna reported a strong and persistent immune response with no new safety concerns.
What stands out? Three weeks after just the first dose, nearly 80% of participants (79.5%; 95% CI: 74.3, 84.1) already showed antibody levels at or above accepted protective thresholds. That figure soared to 97.8% (95% CI: 95.4, 99.2) after the second dose. Six months out, 70.6% (95% CI: 64.8, 76.0) maintained seroprotective titers—a key benchmark for pandemic preparedness.
| Dose Timing | % Seroprotective Titers | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Weeks After 1st Dose | 79.50 | 74.30–84.10 |
| 3 Weeks After 2nd Dose | 97.80 | 95.40–99.20 |
| 6 Months After 2nd Dose | 70.60 | 64.80–76.00 |
Additional Pipeline Updates Signal Depth in Infectious Disease R&D
Beyond the flu data, Moderna provided updates on several investigational programs, including vaccines for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in post-transplant patients, RSV in transplant recipients, COVID-19 in young children, and a therapeutic genital herpes vaccine. The sheer breadth of data presented at IDWeek reflects the continued evolution and diversification of Moderna’s mRNA pipeline—well beyond its pandemic COVID-19 roots.
Key Takeaways: Potential Catalysts for the Vaccine Space
These latest results may signal a competitive edge for Moderna as it advances through regulatory review and seeks broader commercial opportunities. The consistent efficacy, strong safety record, and durable immunity suggest the company could carve out significant market share—should the results be confirmed in wider, real-world studies.
With further readouts and regulatory decisions likely in the next 12–18 months, investors and healthcare professionals will want to monitor whether mRNA-1010 or mRNA-1018 achieves full approval and uptake. The landscape of infectious disease prevention may soon look very different—driven, once again, by the mRNA revolution.
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