Okay, here’s a draft article based on the provided snippet and adhering to all the given guidelines. It’s significantly expanded to provide more context and value, aiming for a comprehensive and evergreen resource.I’ve focused on the WHO recommendations for influenza vaccines, as that’s the core topic.
“`html
WHO Updates Influenza Vaccine Recommendations for the 2026 Season
Table of Contents
Published September 27, 2025, at 14:12:34
The World Health Association (WHO) has released its recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2026 influenza season. These updates are crucial for manufacturers to produce effective vaccines and for public health officials to plan vaccination campaigns. This article details the key changes, the reasoning behind them, and what individuals and healthcare providers should expect.
What’s New in the 2026 Recommendations?
The WHO recommendations are updated twice yearly – once for the Northern Hemisphere influenza season and once for the Southern Hemisphere. the 2026 recommendations, announced on September 26, 2025, focus on adjustments to the strains included in both quadrivalent and trivalent vaccines. According to reports, the primary change involves an updated A(H1N1) component to better match circulating viruses.
Specifically, the WHO recommends the following for the 2026 Northern Hemisphere vaccine:
- An A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
- An A/Hong Kong/267/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
- A B/Austria/1359540/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage)
- A B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage)
These recommendations are based on ongoing global surveillance of influenza viruses and analysis of antigenic characteristics. The goal is to ensure the vaccine provides the best possible protection against the strains most likely to circulate during the upcoming season.
Why do Recommendations Change?
Influenza viruses are notorious for their ability to mutate rapidly, a phenomenon known as antigenic drift. This constant evolution means that the strains circulating in the population change over time. If the vaccine strains don’t closely match the circulating strains, the vaccine’s effectiveness can be reduced. The WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) plays a critical role in monitoring these changes.
The GISRS network, comprised of over 150 national influenza centers in 110 countries, collects and analyzes influenza viruses from around the world. This data is used to identify emerging strains and predict which strains are most likely to dominate in the upcoming season. The WHO then uses this information to update the vaccine recommendations.
Who is Affected by These Changes?
These recommendations impact a wide range of stakeholders:
- Vaccine manufacturers: They must adjust their production processes to incorporate the updated strains. this requires time and resources.
- Public Health Officials: they need to update vaccination guidelines and plan campaigns based on the new recommendations.
- Healthcare Providers: They need to be informed about the changes and be prepared to answer questions from patients.
- the General Public: Individuals,especially those at high risk of complications from influenza (e.g.,young children,older adults,pregnant women,people with chronic health conditions),should get vaccinated annually with the updated vaccine.
