US to participate in meeting on influenza vaccine composition, WHO official says

The WHO’s director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness says there has been “a slight dip” in global influenza virus circulation

World Health Organisation (WHO) logo and US flag are seen in this illustration taken Apr 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

The United States will participate in a World Health Organisation meeting at the end of the month to determine the composition of upcoming influenza vaccines, the agency's official said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, said there had been "a slight dip" in the global circulation of influenza virus samples after funding challenges, but shipments had now resumed.

She said the global influenza surveillance and response network - a system of more than 150 laboratories across 130 countries - plays a central role in tracking seasonal and zoonotic influenza viruses and updates vaccine recommendations every six months.