FDA Makes Recommendations for Flu Vaccine for 2025-2026

The FDA has 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.”

The FDA made clear that it “does not anticipate any impact on timing or availability of vaccines for the American public.” On Feb. 28, HPN reported on the cancellation of an FDA advisory board meeting on flu vaccines meant to make recommendations for this year’s shot; at the time, there were concerns that this cancellation would impact the vaccine’s availability.

The recommendations made by the FDA are “similar to the previous year’s strain selection.” To inform the selection, a meeting was convened between “scientific and public health experts from the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense for this in-depth discussion. During the meeting, these federal partners collaboratively evaluated and analyzed U.S. and global surveillance data related to the epidemiology and antigenic characteristics of flu viruses currently circulating.”

Some key topics that were discussed at the meeting include “flu strains that are circulating in the U.S. and globally and the types that are causing disease” and “mid-season vaccine effectiveness for the 2024-2025 vaccine.”