The cancellation of an annual meeting that shapes flu vaccines for the following year is “alarming,” according to AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, and comes during “one of the worst flu seasons in years,” she said.
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) was scheduled to meet March 13 to discuss strains used in vaccines for the 2025-’26 flu season. News of the cancellation reached VRBPAC members’ email inboxes on Wednesday afternoon with no explanation.
Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), confirmed the cancellation Thursday and said in an emailed statement that the FDA “will make public its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-2026 influenza season."
Dr. Kressly said Thursday that the timing of the annual VRBPAC meeting is crucial to preventing a flu season that could overwhelm health care providers.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics urges health authorities to immediately reschedule the meeting to ensure vaccine decisions are made without delay,” Dr. Kressly said in a statement. “It takes up to 6 months to produce and distribute the vaccine so it’s available before the influenza virus starts to circulate next season.”
The AAP recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu.
“Any delays that disrupt the supply of influenza vaccine for next year could negatively impact the health of children,” said Kristina Bryant, M.D., FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville.
Bryant added this season is a powerful reminder of what happens when children are not protected with flu vaccine. “Nationally, influenza immunization rates have been falling for several years. In Jefferson County, Kentucky, where I live, less than 30% of kids received a flu vaccine this year. We saw multiple outbreaks of flu in schools that led to school closures or transition to virtual learning.”
As of the week ending Feb. 15, there had been 86 pediatric flu deaths during the 2024-’25 flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been at least 33 million illnesses, 430,000 hospitalizations and 19,000 deaths from the flu this season.
“Vaccination remains our most effective tool to prevent the most severe consequences of influenza, including hospitalization,” Dr. Kressly said.
