US flu shot guidance changes as experts express concern about child deaths

US health officials moved flu vaccine guidance for children to a 'shared clinical decision-making' approach while experts warn the country is facing a very severe flu season with large numbers of hospitalizations and some child deaths; next steps are undetermined at this time.

US health authorities have shifted flu vaccine guidance for children to a "shared clinical decision-making" approach at a time when hospitals are reporting unusually high numbers of flu patients. Public statements from some senior officials have cast doubt on how well flu vaccines work. The dominant strain this season is H3N2, and officials and experts say this season has been severe and has put extra pressure on hospitals. Key facts: - Federal guidance for pediatric flu vaccination was changed in early January to "shared clinical decision-making," rather than a full universal recommendation. - Some senior officials publicly questioned the vaccine's effectiveness, even as public health agencies continue to present vaccine benefits in their reports. - The US was estimated by the CDC (week ending 9 January) to have about 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths so far this season, including at least 17 children. - Experts note vaccination and antiviral treatment rates have fallen from earlier years and say this season is dominated by a mutated H3N2 subclade associated with more severe illness. Summary: Experts say the change in messaging comes amid an unusually severe H3N2-driven season and high healthcare demand, which could influence future vaccine uptake and treatment patterns. Undetermined at this time.