Northern Hemisphere Flu Shots Announced for Next Season

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of the trivalent influenza vaccines for the 2025-2026 influenza season in the northern hemisphere.

Announced on February 28, 2025, the WHO recommendations are used by the national vaccine regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies to develop, produce, and license influenza vaccines for the following influenza season. 

The twice-yearly update of viruses in influenza vaccines is necessary for the vaccines to be effective due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, including those circulating and infecting humans.

Additionally, the WHO's recommendation for the B/Yamagata lineage component of quadrivalent influenza vaccines remains unchanged from previous recommendations.

For the 2024-2025 flu season, about 100 million influenza vaccines were distributed in the United States.

As of February 28, 2025, about 45.8% of children and 45.2% of adults, including 70% of adults 65+, reported receipt of an influenza vaccine this season. The CDC reported on May 25, 2024, that about 48% of U.S. adults received a flu shot during 2023-2024.