The recent flu season in the United States reported vaccine effectiveness between 25% and 30% for adults and 40% for children. This percentage is considered one of the lowest rates in two decades. A new subtype of the A H3N2 virus has predominated this season, contributing to a considerable increase in infections, especially in New York. Health officials attribute the vaccine's poor performance to a lack of adaptation to this new strain. To date, there have been 27 million flu infections and 22,000 flu-related deaths. At least 101 children have died, and most were not fully vaccinated. “The winter respiratory virus season is slowly coming to an end, and we are all very grateful for that,” announced Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert at Vanderbilt University, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). Comparison with past seasons: The US flu vaccination rate for the 2025-2026 season shows a marked decline compared to previous years, contributing to a season of high severity with more cases and hospitalizations. This low coverage is especially noticeable among children and older adults, vulnerable groups. Childhood vaccination rates have fallen from 59% in 2019-2020 to 46% in 2024-2025, while rates among adults over 65 are also below 50% this year. In December 2024, only 41% of adults and a similar percentage of children were vaccinated, down from 44% for children the previous year. For the 2023-2024 season, 45% of adults were vaccinated, 2 percentage points lower than in 2022-2023.

Future Outlook for Vaccination

Despite the low effectiveness, vaccination is still recommended to prevent severe illness. The vaccine for the next season will be aligned with new strains, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Relatively low flu vaccination rates didn't help, experts warn.

The vaccine available this season was designed to combat a different variant of the H3N2 virus, and the proliferation of the new strain is a likely explanation for why the vaccine was less effective, Schaffner said.

Measures to Avoid Infection

In addition to vaccination, there are several practical and effective measures to reduce the risk of contracting the flu. These focus on personal hygiene, strengthening the immune system, and avoiding contagion.

Daily hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching public surfaces or before eating. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discard it immediately afterwards. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available.

Healthy Habits.

Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to strengthen your defenses, drink enough water, and sleep at least 7-8 hours a night. Engage in regular physical activity and avoid excessive consumption of processed sugars, which can weaken the immune system. Dress warmly in cold weather to protect your respiratory system. Avoid spreading the virus. Ventilate enclosed spaces daily to refresh the air and reduce overcrowding, especially with children or babies. Keep your distance from sick people, stay home if you have symptoms, and wear a mask in crowded places or when caring for someone with the flu. Do not share personal items such as glasses or utensils. You may also be interested in: The financial crisis reaches healthcare: Americans are mortgaging their lives to afford it. War for the drug market: Ozempic and Wegovy will be halved in price by 2027. Essential supplies and services not covered by Medicare.Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discard it immediately afterward. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available. Healthy habits: Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to strengthen your defenses, drink enough water, and sleep at least 7-8 hours a night. Engage in regular physical activity and avoid excessive consumption of processed sugars, which can weaken the immune system. Dress warmly in cold weather to protect your airways. Preventing infection: Ventilate enclosed spaces daily to refresh the air and reduce crowding, especially with children or babies. Keep your distance from sick people, stay home if you have symptoms, and wear a mask in crowded places or when caring for someone with the flu. Do not share personal items such as glasses or utensils.