In April 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the flu vaccine voluntary for military personnel, claiming it weakened war-fighting capabilities. Following this change, a flu outbreak occurred at Joint Base San Antonio, leading to 275 infections and one recruit’s death.… Read More »Pentagon flu vaccine policy caused an outbreak at a military base?
Many flu and cold supplements lack scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness and are generally a waste of money. The best prevention against flu is vaccination. Claims that these supplements boost the immune system are oversimplified and misleading. Evidence-based treatments exist,… Read More »Flu and cold supplements — mostly, they are worthless
A study indicates that flu vaccination during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, significantly reduces the risk of flu infection in newborns. The flu vaccine can prevent serious complications in infants, who cannot be vaccinated themselves. Despite its… Read More »Flu vaccine during pregnancy protects infants from infection
The CDC’s report indicates a concerning trend of severe neurologic complications from influenza in pediatric deaths this flu season, with influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) present in 13% of deaths. This highlights the dangers of flu in children and underscores the importance… Read More »CDC reports neurologic complications from flu in children
The 2024-2025 flu season in the USA has led to increased hospitalizations and deaths, surpassing COVID rates. Severe complications, including neurologic issues in children and pneumonia from superbugs in adults, are reported. Low vaccination rates contribute to the ongoing crisis.… Read More »2024-2025 flu season is becoming more intense
The CDC’s MMWR was temporarily halted due to a communication pause by the Trump administration, marking a first in its 60-year history. This delay hindered dissemination of crucial information regarding H5N1 and H5N9 avian flu subtypes, raising concerns about potential… Read More »CDC journal, MMWR, resumes publication without H5N1 articles
A highly pathogenic bird flu outbreak, H5N9, has emerged in California, leading to the culling of nearly 119,000 birds. This subtype, distinct from H5N1, has not infected humans yet but poses potential risks due to genetic mutations. Monitoring is crucial,… Read More »H5N9 outbreak in California — a highly pathogenic bird flu subtype
Reports indicate a rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China, but experts suggest this is a typical seasonal pattern, not a cause for alarm. The WHO and CDC see no significant threat, as the health system remains stable. Increased… Read More »Should we worry about human metapneumovirus outbreaks
Vaccine scientists aim to create a universal influenza vaccine, eliminating the need for annual shots by providing long-lasting immunity against all flu strains. Researchers report promising results for OVX836, targeting conserved antigens. While approval may come in 2026 or later,… Read More »A universal influenza vaccine may be coming soon
The COVID pandemic led to the extinction of the B/Yamagata influenza strain, which has not been observed since 2020. Consequently, it was removed from the 2024-25 seasonal flu vaccine. Although other flu strains remain, this instance marks a significant impact… Read More »A flu strain has gone extinct thanks to the COVID pandemic