MODERNA’S NEW MRNA FLU SHOT HAS BEEN APPROVED. BUT WHAT DID THE TRIAL ACTUALLY SHOW?

Moderna reported its mRNA flu vaccine was 26.6% more effective than a standard flu vaccine. But that’s the relative number.

The absolute difference was much smaller. Influenza occurred in approximately 2.0% of mRNA recipients compared with 2.8% receiving the standard flu shot.

Out of every 1,000 people, that works out to about 8 fewer cases of influenza with the mRNA shot.

Meanwhile, 64 out of 1,000 people experienced a severe reaction.

The trial also reported 5 deaths in the mRNA vaccine group compared with 1 in the standard flu vaccine group.

When the FDA approves a new vaccine, Americans deserve to see the numbers in a way that actually shows the difference in both benefit and risk. Informed consent requires the full picture.

Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2516491