From fears of getting the flu from the shot to concerns about ingredients like thimerosal, myths about the flu vaccine persist, underscoring the need for clinicians to effectively address misinformation and build vaccine confidence. So to help debunk some of the most common flu vaccine myths, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Dr. Mirella Salvatore, an infectious disease specialist, Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Director in the Community Healthcare Network, and a Research Associate Professor at New York University.

As of July 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) released new recommendations for influenza vaccination, stating that single-dose thimerosal-free formulations are now required for children up to 18, pregnant individuals, and all adults. While this new guidance may help strengthen public trust in immunization, it's important to consider how to implement it across patient populations, such as elderly, pediatric, pregnant, and immunocompromised groups. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss practical strategies for protecting all patients under the new recommendations are Drs. Darvin Smith and Rob Danoff. Dr. Smith is an infectious disease specialist at San Mateo Medical Center in San Mateo, California, and Dr. Danoff is the Program Director of both the Family Medicine Residency and the Combined Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residency at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia, as well as a Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

Despite the rarity of diseases like polio and diphtheria in the U.S., recent cases underscore that these threats persist when immunization rates decline. Meanwhile, more common infections like pertussis and hepatitis B continue to pose serious risks to unprotected children. Here to talk about the importance of timely and routine childhood vaccination is Dr. Paul A. Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center and a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Pediatric influenza vaccination rates are consistently lower than other childhood immunizations, a problem that’s often driven by parental hesitancy. Whether it's a lack of understanding of the possible severity of the flu or deeply held beliefs about the vaccine's safety, knowing how to address parents' concerns is key to improving uptake and protecting children from getting sick. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss these concerns and provide practical recommendations on building confidence in the flu shot are Drs. Buddy Creech and Wendy Wright. Dr. Creech is Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, and he's also the Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program and leads NIH- and CDC- funded vaccine safety efforts. Dr. Wright is a board-certified adult and family nurse practitioner based out of Amherst, New Hampshire, as well as the owner of the Wright and Associates Family Healthcare.

Despite high uptake of the quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccine among adolescents, significant protection gaps remain, particularly against serogroup B. That’s why Dr. Ruth Carrico joins us to examine key challenges in adolescent vaccine delivery and how newer pentavalent vaccines covering all five major meningococcal serogroups—A, C, W, Y, and B—can streamline protection, improve coverage, reduce missed doses, and support shared decision-making between providers, teens, and parents.

In the post-COVID landscape, healthcare providers face a new communication challenge: countering misinformation while building trust in vaccine recommendations. To help combat this, Dr. Ruth Carrico joins us to share how her approach to patient engagement has shifted from simply informing to actively listening and collaborating. Dr. Carrico is a family nurse practitioner based in Louisville, Kentucky and an Adjunct Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and polio form the foundation of early childhood immunization, but gaps in coverage continue to put children and communities at risk. Fortunately, combination vaccines and coadministration strategies can help providers minimize missed opportunities while protecting children from preventable disease and long-term health complications. Learn more with Dr. Ruth Carrico, a family nurse practitioner based in Louisville, Kentucky and an Adjunct Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Older adults face higher risks from influenza due to age-related declines in immune function, making enhanced vaccines a critical preventive tool. However, vaccination in this population comes with some considerations, including vaccine hesitancy and access barriers. Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss the role of enhanced influenza vaccines for adults and strategies for overcoming these challenges is Dr. Irene Hamrick. Dr. Hamrick is a Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and a Certified Medical Director through the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.

Recent research highlights the comparative effectiveness of cell-based versus egg-based influenza vaccines in pediatric populations. This data could help guide pediatric immunization, alongside strategies like comprehensive communication with parents and whole-family vaccine efforts. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss the importance of annual flu prevention and ways to improve uptake in pediatric populations is Dr. Danielle Wales. She's a Clinical Associate Professor at the University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences and a faculty member of the Albany Medical Center's Division of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in Cohoes, New York.

Pediatric influenza remains a serious threat, with the 2024-2025 season bringing one of the highest recorded pediatric mortality rates in over a decade. As a result, understanding barriers to vaccine uptake and implementing strategies to address them is critical. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to provide insights into the burden of pediatric influenza and the importance of timely immunization is Dr. Ravi Jhaveri. Dr. Jhaveri is the Division Head for Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.