VacciNation

Pregnancy can increase the risk of serious influenza-related complications, making timely vaccination an important part of maternal care. But what does the evidence tell us about the safety and benefits of influenza vaccination for both pregnant patients and their babies? Joining Ashley Baker to answer this question and discuss current vaccination recommendations and strategies for improving uptake is Dr. Flor Muñoz. She's an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, and Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

When patients think about influenza, they often think about fever and cough. But, as Dr. Rachael Lee explains in this episode of VacciNation, the virus can set off a cascade of complications that linger long after the acute illness has resolved. From cardiovascular events and secondary bacterial infections to exacerbations of chronic disease, learn how these broader clinical effects shape vaccination recommendations and discover practical ways to help patients understand the value of vaccination beyond preventing infection.

Dr. Lee is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, where she also serves as Chief Healthcare Epidemiologist.

Evolving influenza vaccine guidance can create uncertainty for clinicians and patients alike, making clear, evidence-based communication more important than ever. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss how to interpret changing recommendations, counsel patients with confidence, and navigate conflicting guidance in everyday practice are Drs. Rachael Lee and Flor Muñoz. Together, they explore practical approaches to supporting informed vaccination decisions across diverse patient populations.

Dr. Lee is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, where she's also the Chief Healthcare Epidemiologist.

Dr. Muñoz is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, and Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

Busy clinic schedules don't have to stand in the way of influenza vaccination. In this episode of VacciNation, Dr. Brian McDonough speaks with Dr. Angela Myers, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, about practical approaches that help clinicians deliver confident, consistent vaccination recommendations throughout flu season.

Annual influenza vaccine effectiveness may vary from season to season, but evidence consistently supports its role in reducing severe illness and hospitalization. Join Dr. Jennifer Caudle as she speaks with Dr. Kawsar Talaat about how clinical trial data and real-world evidence guide vaccine recommendations, support vaccine selection for vulnerable populations, and help clinicians communicate the value of annual flu vaccination with confidence. Dr. Talaat is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. She also serves as a Johns Hopkins PI for the CDC Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project.

Pediatric influenza carries a significant clinical burden, with children under four experiencing one of the highest rates of influenza-related illness, healthcare visits, and hospitalization.1,2 Seasonal influenza vaccination remains an evidence-based strategy to reduce illness and severe outcomes, with a well-established safety profile and continued support from leading U.S. health authorities.3,4 Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to share her perspective on the importance of influenza vaccination in children is Dr. Laura Sass. Dr. Laura Sass is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a board-certified Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.

References:

1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/FluHospChars.html#virusTypeDiv.
2. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza Activity in the United States during the 2024–25 Season and Composition of the 2025–26 Influenza Vaccine. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2025-2026-influenza-activity.html.
3. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu Vaccine Effectiveness for Children and Older Adults. Updated August 14. 2024. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/risk-groups/index.html.
4. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2025-2026: Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2025;156(6)doi:10.1542/peds.2025-073620

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.