All articles tagged with #influenza
Lab experiments show ultrasound in the 3–20 MHz range can cause acoustic resonance to rupture the envelopes of enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H1N1), rendering them non-infectious in cell models while leaving host cells unharmed. It's a promising, non-invasive approach, but still early—not a treatment yet—with ongoing work to refine frequencies and test other viruses.
Colorado has reported its eighth pediatric influenza death this season, the most in more than two decades aside from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic; five of the eight deaths were unvaccinated, with others lacking vaccination records. Officials say the season is severe and emphasize that flu vaccines offer protection, noting pediatric vaccination rates are similar to last year though rural areas lag. The flu can cause severe illness requiring ICU care, and nationwide pediatric flu deaths total 149 this season; vaccine uptake remains a challenge in younger adults and in several rural counties.
Nancy Cox, a longtime CDC influenza chief and director of the WHO Collaborating Center, died at 77 from glioblastoma. She built and expanded the CDC flu program, advanced global flu surveillance, and influenced vaccine strain selection and pandemic preparedness, earning wide respect for her leadership and diplomacy. She is survived by her husband, daughter, stepson and four grandchildren.
CIHI data show hospitalizations for vaccine‑preventable respiratory diseases in Canada more than doubled in 2024 versus 2019 (about 142 per 100,000 people vs 66). Nearly 60,000 such hospitalizations occurred in 2024, with influenza and RSV making up over half and COVID contributing more than 40%. Vaccination uptake has fallen, with only about 26% of adults vaccinated for COVID in 2024 and as low as 63% for flu among older adults; experts warn reduced vaccination fuels hospital strain. Average cost per COVID hospitalization was around $29,000 with lengthy stays, underscoring the system impact and the need for easier access and renewed booster campaigns, especially for seniors.
CDC data show this season’s flu vaccine was about 25%–30% effective at preventing illness requiring medical care for adults and roughly 40% for vaccinated children, due mainly to a newly dominant H3N2 subclade not well matched by the vaccine. An estimated 27 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths have occurred; adult vaccination is about 46.5% and around 48% of kids have been vaccinated. Vaccination remains worthwhile to reduce severe illness, and next season’s vaccines will be updated to address the subclade.
U.S. FDA vaccine advisers unanimously endorsed including the A(H3N2) subclade K in next fall’s flu vaccines, aligning with WHO guidance; final approval rests with FDA Commissioner Makary. Subclade K has become the dominant strain in the Northern Hemisphere, highlighting the annual, uncertain process of strain selection. The season saw limited vaccine effectiveness and a high pediatric burden, with falling vaccination rates since the pandemic, alongside tens of millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations.
A Tulane study using a mouse model found that while both COVID-19 and influenza can cause lasting lung injury, only SARS-CoV-2 infection led to persistent brain inflammation and microvascular damage after the virus was no longer detectable, helping explain long-COVID brain symptoms and highlighting distinct brain-attack mechanisms from flu; findings could inform post-infection monitoring and treatment.
Doctors urge people over 50 to get up to date on vaccines this March, as aging immune systems raise the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, RSV, and shingles. Key vaccines to consider include the influenza shot, updated COVID boosters, RSV (especially for those 50–74 at risk or over 75), shingles (zoster), pneumococcal, and Td/Tdap boosters; some may also need MMR and varicella based on risk. Vaccines are widely available at primary care clinics, pharmacies, and local health departments, and getting them can reduce hospitalizations and long-term complications. In addition to vaccines, a healthy lifestyle and planning for fall vaccinations are advised.
Scientists are pursuing a universal flu vaccine that would protect against many influenza strains by targeting conserved parts of the virus; multiple candidates are in trials using approaches such as focusing the immune response on the virus's stable cone of haemagglutinin, exposing fixed regions by presenting thousands of HA variations, blocking neuraminidase, stimulating T cells, or nasal delivery, and some work also explores AI-assisted strain selection. While a true universal vaccine may take years, interim gains include more durable protection and higher-dose shots for older adults, with experts optimistic about improvements within about five to ten years.
The European Medicines Agency recommended EU-wide marketing authorisation for mCombriax, the first combined mRNA vaccine protecting people aged 50 and older against both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in a single shot. In trials, antibodies against both viruses were non-inferior to existing vaccines, and the vaccine showed common short-term side effects (injection-site pain, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, fever, etc.). The European Commission will decide on authorization, after which price and reimbursement are set by individual member states.
WHO recommends the 2026–27 northern hemisphere flu vaccines with updated strains: egg-based vaccines should contain A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like, A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like, and B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like; cell culture-, recombinant protein-, or nucleic acid-based vaccines should include A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like, A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like, and B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like. The review also addresses animal (zoonotic) influenza threats, notes 25 human infections since Sept 2025 with no human-to-human transmission, and calls for developing a new CVV for A(H9N2).
Moderna reported that its experimental mRNA-1073 two-in-one flu and COVID-19 vaccine elicited durable immune responses against matched influenza and SARS-CoV-2 strains for six months in a small 550-participant mid-stage trial, with no serious safety concerns; the briefing also covers ongoing Potomac River contamination concerns after a wastewater spill, a long-term MSU study showing college students rebounded emotionally post-pandemic, and other health news highlights.
CNN reports that this flu season has the highest rate of doctor visits for flu-like illness since CDC surveillance began in 1997, with weekly updates tracking case rates and hospitalizations across states via CDC’s FluView data. The CDC estimates about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick each season, and young children as well as seniors are at higher risk, though data are preliminary and can change as new reports come in.
The American Medical Association and a public health research group are launching a system to review vaccine safety and efficacy, starting with influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, in response to criticisms of the CDC’s vaccine-review process.
The Wyoming Department of Health announced the death of a Fremont County child from influenza, part of a season dominated by the H3N2 strain; officials say flu can be serious, encourage annual vaccination, and outline preventive measures and antiviral treatment, noting nationwide pediatric deaths and that most affected children were not up to date on vaccines.