Health and Me

Ishita Roy

WHO Updates Flu Shot: What Does It Mean For US After Exit?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that vaccine manufacturers must completely change the three viral strains included in the vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere's next in<span>flu</span>enza season. This is in the backdrop of the new strain called the influenza A (H3N2) or the subclade k, also known as the super flu. This flu season's vaccine was manufactured before the new strain was detected, which is why there was a mismatch. However, this does not mean that the vaccine was ineffective. In order to achieve better immunization, the WHO has asked manufacturer to consider the viral strain for newer vaccines. 

The United States also saw a hike in the numbers of flu patients, including hospitalization. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC data, the country saw a 48 per cent hospitalization increase in every week. 

However, with the US exiting out of the WHO could be a hurdle for the US Foods and Drugs Administration or the FDA to approve the WHO updates. Furthermore, the vaccine overhaul too have removed influenza vaccine from the mandatory coverage. 

<h2>What Does The New WHO Influenza Vaccine Mean For The US?</h2>

The latest flu vaccine recommendations from the World Health Organization come at a politically sensitive moment. They are the first issued since the United States formally withdrew from WHO on January 22. The US has long been one of WHO’s largest contributors, providing more than $680 million annually in recent years, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Despite the withdrawal, NPR reported that scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attended the strain selection meeting virtually. The gathering took place in Istanbul, Turkey.

Daniel Jernigan, former head of the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said the newly announced vaccine composition underscores why continued engagement with WHO is essential. He noted that flu prevention depends on global cooperation. Through WHO’s network, the CDC gains access to virus samples from around the world, while WHO-affiliated labs benefit from the CDC’s specialized testing capabilities. According to him, the collaboration strengthens both sides.

Concerns had surfaced about how the US exit might disrupt flu vaccine production. Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, acknowledged that many researchers were worried about potential ripple effects.

However, two of the strains selected for next fall’s flu vaccines are based on virus samples collected in Missouri and Pennsylvania. That detail suggests that US scientists remain actively involved in surveillance and strain identification. Jernigan pointed out that this is particularly important for improving protection against recently circulating flu B viruses, especially in children. He added that if the CDC were ever prevented from participating in WHO’s network, both the US and international partners would lose valuable data and expertise.

Pekosz explained that the global flu monitoring system was intentionally designed with redundancy. Independent laboratories worldwide collect and analyze viral samples before submitting them to centralized databases. Multiple facilities can grow and test these viruses, ensuring backup capacity if one lab encounters problems. This structure helps safeguard vaccine development from single-point failures.

Danuta Skowronski, MD, a flu researcher at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control in western Canada, emphasized that these lab networks enable researchers to monitor the genetic makeup of circulating viruses in near real time. Academic centers and vaccine effectiveness networks also contribute data, reinforcing the global surveillance web.

Countries typically look to WHO guidance when deciding their own vaccine formulations. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has historically aligned its recommendations with WHO’s selections. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet March 12 to discuss upcoming <span>flu shot</span> recommendations.

Still, uncertainty remains over how US regulators will proceed. Jernigan questioned whether the FDA will follow WHO’s updates without introducing additional hurdles for manufacturers preparing this fall’s vaccines.

Over the past year, several public health decisions have surprised experts, including shifts in vaccine-related policies. Earlier this month, the FDA initially declined to consider Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, a technology that could potentially reduce production time from six months to as little as six to eight weeks. Such speed could allow manufacturers to respond more quickly to late-emerging viral strains. The agency reversed that decision a week later.

Further uncertainty surrounds Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccines. He has made claims linking flu shots to his own spasmodic dysphonia, though there is no scientific evidence supporting that assertion.

Against this backdrop, experts stress that global coordination remains central to effective influenza prevention, regardless of shifting political landscapes.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that vaccine manufacturers must completely change the three viral strains included in the vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere's next influenza season. This is in the backdrop of the new strain called the influenza A (H3N2) or the subclade k, also known as the super flu. This flu season's vaccine was manufactured before the new strain was detected, which is why there was a mismatch. However, this does not mean that the vaccine was ineffective. In order to achieve better immunization, the WHO has asked manufacturer to consider the viral strain for newer vaccines. The United States also saw a hike in the numbers of flu patients, including hospitalization. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC data, the country saw a 48 per cent hospitalization increase in every week. However, with the US exiting out of the WHO could be a hurdle for the US Foods and Drugs Administration or the FDA to approve the WHO updates. Furthermore, the vaccine overhaul too have removed influenza vaccine from the mandatory coverage. What Does The New WHO Influenza Vaccine Mean For The US?The latest flu vaccine recommendations from the World Health Organization come at a politically sensitive moment. They are the first issued since the United States formally withdrew from WHO on January 22. The US has long been one of WHO’s largest contributors, providing more than $680 million annually in recent years, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.Despite the withdrawal, NPR reported that scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attended the strain selection meeting virtually. The gathering took place in Istanbul, Turkey.Daniel Jernigan, former head of the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said the newly announced vaccine composition underscores why continued engagement with WHO is essential. He noted that flu prevention depends on global cooperation. Through WHO’s network, the CDC gains access to virus samples from around the world, while WHO-affiliated labs benefit from the CDC’s specialized testing capabilities. According to him, the collaboration strengthens both sides.Concerns had surfaced about how the US exit might disrupt flu vaccine production. Andrew Pekosz, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, acknowledged that many researchers were worried about potential ripple effects.However, two of the strains selected for next fall’s flu vaccines are based on virus samples collected in Missouri and Pennsylvania. That detail suggests that US scientists remain actively involved in surveillance and strain identification. Jernigan pointed out that this is particularly important for improving protection against recently circulating flu B viruses, especially in children. He added that if the CDC were ever prevented from participating in WHO’s network, both the US and international partners would lose valuable data and expertise.Pekosz explained that the global flu monitoring system was intentionally designed with redundancy. Independent laboratories worldwide collect and analyze viral samples before submitting them to centralized databases. Multiple facilities can grow and test these viruses, ensuring backup capacity if one lab encounters problems. This structure helps safeguard vaccine development from single-point failures.Danuta Skowronski, MD, a flu researcher at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control in western Canada, emphasized that these lab networks enable researchers to monitor the genetic makeup of circulating viruses in near real time. Academic centers and vaccine effectiveness networks also contribute data, reinforcing the global surveillance web.Countries typically look to WHO guidance when deciding their own vaccine formulations. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has historically aligned its recommendations with WHO’s selections. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet March 12 to discuss upcoming flu shot recommendations.Still, uncertainty remains over how US regulators will proceed. Jernigan questioned whether the FDA will follow WHO’s updates without introducing additional hurdles for manufacturers preparing this fall’s vaccines.Over the past year, several public health decisions have surprised experts, including shifts in vaccine-related policies. Earlier this month, the FDA initially declined to consider Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, a technology that could potentially reduce production time from six months to as little as six to eight weeks. Such speed could allow manufacturers to respond more quickly to late-emerging viral strains. The agency reversed that decision a week later.Further uncertainty surrounds Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccines. He has made claims linking flu shots to his own spasmodic dysphonia, though there is no scientific evidence supporting that assertion.Against this backdrop, experts stress that global coordination remains central to effective influenza prevention, regardless of shifting political landscapes.