How effective is the flu shot this year? New research shows encouraging results
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Flu is surging across most of the U.S. But, amid an early, harsh season, there is a glimmer of promising news: The flu shot may be more effective than experts predicted. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading. Early evidence shows that this season’s vaccine can indeed protect against the H3N2 subclade K strain that’s spreading nationwide. The strain emerged last summer, too late for it to be included in the 2025-26 vaccine.
AI Summary
Main Idea: New research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests this year’s flu shot may still offer solid protection, even though the vaccine does not fully match the main strain now spreading.
Key Points:
- Early lab results showed the shot raised antibody levels against H3N2, the flu strain causing much of this season’s surge.
- Protection also improved against H3N2 subclade K, the changed strain that emerged after vaccine production had already started.
- Experts said the mismatch may be less serious than feared, and the vaccine still should help lower the risk of severe illness.
- The CDC says flu activity is very high, child vaccination rates are low, and it is still not too late to get a flu shot.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Flu is already spreading widely, and low child vaccine uptake could leave more people sick, miss work, and strain clinics.
Positive Impact
Early research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests the flu shot may still protect many Americans, which could reduce severe illness and deaths.
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Candidate Entities6 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Centers for Disease Control and Preventiongovernment agency or bodyMajorAI selected
Cited for flu and pediatric-death data, vaccine guidance, and national surveillance figures central to the story.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Angela RasmussenpersonContextCandidate
Virologist quoted reacting to the new findings and explaining their significance.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Department of Healthgovernment agency or bodyContextCandidate
Mentioned for its announcement about annual flu shots for children, a notable policy-related point in the article.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Healtheducational / research institutionContextCandidate
Hanage’s affiliated institution, mentioned as part of his identification.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Scott HensleypersonContextCandidate
Penn microbiology professor quoted as an expert on the vaccine’s apparent antibody response.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - University of Saskatchewaneducational / research institutionContextCandidate
Rasmussen’s affiliated institution, included because she is identified through it.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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