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<p>World Health Organization in its recent recommendations for the composition of seasonal influenza vaccine for Northern hemisphere 2025-26 season has recommended trivalent as well as quadrivalent vaccine, even as it has clearly put up a case against the influenza B/Yamagata lineage of influenza B, due to its negligible circulation after the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. Continuing with B/Yamagata antigen in the vaccine, in the face of absent circulation since March 2020, raises scientific and economic concerns, especially for the LMIC where cost of the vaccine is mostly out-of-pocket. Trivalent vaccine is not only scientifically sensible but is also likely to be economical in production which could potentially increase uptake of the vaccine in regions where vaccination is not a part of the public funded immunization programs. While WHO advises national authorities to transition to trivalent vaccines, this manuscript advocates for LMIC-specific policy shifts, drawing parallels to the evidence-based “polio switch” from trivalent to bivalent oral vaccines in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). We propose that excluding B/Yamagata universally—coupled with targeted advocacy for LMIC governments—could enhance vaccine affordability and uptake.</p>

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The WHO 2025-26 Influenza Vaccine Recommendations: Advocating for LMIC-Specific Policy Shifts to Improve Uptake

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月2日

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  • Parvaiz A Koul,
  • Hazique P Koul

摘要

World Health Organization in its recent recommendations for the composition of seasonal influenza vaccine for Northern hemisphere 2025-26 season has recommended trivalent as well as quadrivalent vaccine, even as it has clearly put up a case against the influenza B/Yamagata lineage of influenza B, due to its negligible circulation after the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. Continuing with B/Yamagata antigen in the vaccine, in the face of absent circulation since March 2020, raises scientific and economic concerns, especially for the LMIC where cost of the vaccine is mostly out-of-pocket. Trivalent vaccine is not only scientifically sensible but is also likely to be economical in production which could potentially increase uptake of the vaccine in regions where vaccination is not a part of the public funded immunization programs. While WHO advises national authorities to transition to trivalent vaccines, this manuscript advocates for LMIC-specific policy shifts, drawing parallels to the evidence-based “polio switch” from trivalent to bivalent oral vaccines in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). We propose that excluding B/Yamagata universally—coupled with targeted advocacy for LMIC governments—could enhance vaccine affordability and uptake.