The 2025–2026 influenza vaccine reduced outpatient visits by 22% to 34% and hospitalizations by 30%, especially in pediatric patients.
Pediatric patients showed the strongest protection, with hospitalization effectiveness reaching 41% and outpatient effectiveness ranging from 38% to 41%.
Among adults, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations was estimated at 30%, with outpatient effectiveness ranging from 22% to 34%.
Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K was found in 83% of characterized A(H3N2) viruses, differing antigenically from the vaccine strain.
Despite antigenic drift, vaccination significantly reduced influenza-associated morbidity, with CDC recommending vaccination for all eligible individuals.
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
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