Influenza vaccine formula for 2025/26 season, WHO announces

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally declared the composition of the influenza vaccine for the 2025-2026 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere. According to an official statement, the Advisory Committee has advocated for a trivalent vaccine, encompassing two subtypes of influenza A virus, specifically A(H1N1) and A(H3N2), in addition to an influenza B strain of the Victoria lineage. The WHO has advised against the utilization of the quadrivalent formulation, inclusive of the B/Yamagata lineage, due to its restricted circulation, evidenced by the absence of collected samples during the preceding influenza season from September 2024 to February 2025. WHO has also emphasised the importance of prioritising the provision of optimal population protection by adapting vaccination strategies based on current epidemiological information. The overarching aim of this research is to facilitate the development of a highly effective influenza vaccine, thereby making a significant contribution to public health through the effective management of influenza epidemics, as reported by media sources.