Interim CDC Data Shows Flu Vaccine Continues to Offer Protection in 2025–26 Season

New interim findings from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) show that the 2025–26 seasonal influenza vaccine continues to provide meaningful protection against serious illness, even in a challenging season with antigenically drifted virus strains.

Vaccine effectiveness ranged from 38%–41% against influenza-related outpatient visits and 41% against hospitalization among children and adolescents, while adults saw 22%–34% protection against outpatient visits and 30% against hospitalization.

With an estimated 26 million illnesses and 340,000 hospitalizations so far this season, the findings reinforce the ongoing public health importance of influenza vaccination for everyone aged six months and older. Find CDC’s full MMWR report here.