Latest Breaking News

NickB79

(20,315 posts)

14. The new mRNA flu vaccines would help prevent this

Sat Mar 14, 2026, 08:28 PM

Yesterday

Currently we grow flu vaccines in chicken eggs, and to meet demand we have to start growing them months ahead of time. We take an educated guess on what the prevalent strains will be and run with it.

A flu vaccine based on mRNA tech could crank out enough vaccine in a much shorter time, because it's not grown in eggs but rather made in labs, giving us more time to distinguish what the dominant strains may be. And if the flu strain is mismatched at the start of the season, there's still time to modify the vaccine and get better matched shots out by mid-season so it's not a total wash.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

boonecreek Rhiannon12866

14 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Flu vaccines didn't work that well in the US, officials find [View all] Omaha Steve Friday OP

Gee. It's almost as if you need competent people to do things right. Aristus Friday #1

Even competent people have a tough time figuring out..... paleotn Friday #4

It worked okay for me Johonny Friday #2

Yup Lemon Lyman Friday #3

After 2 months slightlv Yesterday #11

I struggle too with appetite but not from the flu. Hang in. twodogsbarking Yesterday #13

It's sometimes not a good match. This is not a new phenomenon. Raftergirl Friday #5

Could the dismantling of vaccine development have had something to do with it? Kablooie Friday #6

Even a flu vax that doesn't work well might help Ilsa Friday #7

This is reason gazillion in favor of wearing a mask in public places. love_katz Friday #8

I got a slight stuffy nose and slight aches, so I think it worked for me. Beats the real bug. C Moon Friday #9

I must have lucked out I got mine fairly early Historic NY Friday #10

Got the flu shot in September and have the flu now. beveeheart Yesterday #12

The new mRNA flu vaccines would help prevent this NickB79 Yesterday #14