The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recommendations for the composition of influenza shots for the upcoming respiratory virus season without input from its independent vaccine advisers. The decision comes after a session scheduled to be held in February was canceled.
Experts within the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Defense gathered to review surveillance data on circulating flu viruses worldwide. The FDA recommends that flu vaccines for the 2025-26 season be trivalent, protecting against two strains of influenza A and one of influenza B.
The selection of strains is a carefully orchestrated process to ensure timely delivery of vaccines to healthcare providers. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System also influences the decision, with WHO vaccine recommendations typically mirroring those of the FDA.
The cancellation of the FDA’s committee meeting raised concerns about flu shot availability this fall. Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the independent advisory committee, expressed relief that the recommendation was made in a timely manner. The 2024-25 flu season was severe, with over 40 million illnesses reported in the US.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/13/health/fda-flu-vaccine-recommendations/index.html