Category: Influenza

Influenza – So far this season…

Posted on by

January 13, 2026. The information below is taken from a report by Your Local Epidemiologist. Things to know: Most Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) activity right now are flu ILI is the highest it has been since the 1997-98 flu season (and the highest it has been since the CDC started tracking ILI) Last season, ILI infections started peaking in the beginning of February; we are seeing similar rates now – a month earlier than last year – and infections are still increasing ED visits are highest among children aged 5-17 years, children under 5 years are close behind Seventeen children have Read More …

Keep Recommending Flu Vaccine

Posted on by

Last influenza (flu) season, 289 US children died from influenza—the highest number in more than a decade. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the leading cause of hospitalization among US infants. Based on the best available scientific evidence, Dr. John Kennedy strongly urges American Medical Group Association (AMGA) members to continue recommendation of annual influenza vaccination for your patients age 6 months and older, as well as protection against RSV for all infants whose mothers did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Still not sure?? Check out the list of dozens of medical societies and trade associations who stand alongside Read More …

Flu Vaccine Effectiveness found to be Around 50%

Posted on by

Russ, et al. (2025, Sep 25). Interim effectiveness estimates of 2025 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines in preventing influenza-associated outpatient and hospitalized illness–Eight southern hemisphere countries, March-September 2025. MMWR Weekly Report, 74(36), 570-578. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7436a3.htm Takeaways: During the 2025 Southern Hemisphere influenza season, seasonal influenza vaccination reduced influenza-associated outpatient visits by 50.4% and hospitalization by 49.7%.  Seasonal influenza vaccination provides important protection from influenza illness and associated potential complications. Monitoring seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Southern Hemisphere countries can apprise health authorities in Northern Hemisphere countries about the potential protection provided from vaccination. Using data from influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe Read More …

Vaccine Composition: 2025-2026 Flu Season

Posted on by

On March 13, the FDA made recommendations to vaccine manufacturers for the virus strains to be used in influenza (flu) vaccines for the 2025-2026 U.S. flu season following a thorough and comprehensive review of U.S. and global surveillance data. With the action, the FDA does not anticipate any impact on timing or availability of vaccines for the American public. The recommendations are similar to the previous year’s strain selection. To inform the selection of the flu virus strains, the FDA convened a meeting of scientific and public health experts from the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department Read More …

WHO Recommendations for Influenza Vaccine Composition for 2025-2026

Posted on by

February 28, 2025 The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2025–2026 influenza season in the northern hemisphere. The announcement was made at an information session at the end of a 4-day meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines, a meeting that is held twice annually.  The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2025–2026 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:  Egg-based vaccines Cell culture-, recombinant protein- or nucleic acid-based vaccines The recommendation for the B/Yamagata lineage component of quadrivalent influenza vaccines remains unchanged from previous recommendations: Read more

2024-2025 Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

Posted on by

Last week, CDC published flu vaccine effectiveness data, and it’s looking good: 36-54%. The range is due to a combination of different data systems and one strain circulating that is notoriously hard to target with vaccines. Read more!

School Based Health Centers offer Influenza Vaccines

Posted on by

ChristianaCare School Based Health Centers (SBHC) will be offering influenza (flu) vaccine to students beginning in mid-October. There are no co-pays, and they can offer VFC program immunizations. Immunization may be free of charge. SBHCs also offer other vaccines including: Click here for SBHC contact information. Or call the central office at 302-608-5741.

Recommended Composition of Flu Vaccines for 2024-2025

Posted on by

The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following: Egg-based vaccines an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;  an A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus. Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; an A/Massachusetts/18/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus. For quadrivalent egg- or cell culture-based or recombinant vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season: While the B/Yamagata lineage vaccine component should be excluded as it is no longer warranted, where quadrivalent vaccines are still in use, the B/Yamagata lineage component remains unchanged: Egg-, cell- or Read More …

DPH Confirms Flu-Related Deaths During 2023-2024 Season

Posted on by

NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact Laura Matusheski, Media Relations Coordinator, (302) 824-3970 or DPHMedia@delaware.gov. DPH Confirms Flu-Related Deaths During 2023-2024 Flu Season, Urges Public to Get Vaccinated DOVER, DE (Jan. 30, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today six (6) suspected flu-related deaths for the 2023-2024 influenza season. The first recorded death of the season was in December. All decedents were over the age of 55 with one reportedly up to date on their flu vaccination. Three of the decedents were New Castle County residents, Read More …