Category: Influenza

Respiratory Virus Vaccine Recommendations

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The American Academy of Family Practioners (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) have put together Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations. https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/respiratory-virus-immunization-recommendations.pdf Have a gander, and tell your friends!

Vaccine Integrity Project and American Medical Association Announces Independent 2026-2027 Respiratory Season Vaccine Evidence Review

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Tuesday, September 2. The Vaccine Integrity Project, in collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA), today announced its independent, 2026-27 respiratory season vaccine evidence review, assessing the safety and effectiveness of respiratory virus season immunizations. The latest, high-quality scientific evidence found that immunizations against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. The Vaccine Integrity Project undertook the review to both analyze effectiveness but also to look for any safety signals that may have emerged in the data gathered since its last evidence review in summer 2025. Reassuringly, researchers found Read More …

Influenza – So far this season…

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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

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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%

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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

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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

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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

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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!