The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined the potential benefits of improved influenza vaccines as the U.S. vaccine development sector seeks to overcome increased hesitancy.

An improved or universal influenza vaccine could prevent up to 18 billion people from getting influenza if used between 2025 and 2050, according to a recent analysis conducted by the WHO. A full value assessment of the Improved Influenza Vaccine Assessment (FVIVA) also revealed that up to 6.2 million lives could be saved, particularly among those at high risk of severe disease.

Current influenza vaccines are highly effective, but limited to certain seasons and demographics. Twice a year, WHO issues recommendations on the composition of influenza vaccine strains. For example, in the UK, Seven licensed influenza vaccines are available For the 2025-2026 season. This group includes trivalent and tetravalent live attenuated jabs that have been approved for different age groups.

A universal influenza vaccine is a long-acting vaccine designed to protect against most or all influenza strains and does not need to be given every year. However, there are currently no approved products.

Research is ongoing because of its potential to positively impact public health. According to the University of Minnesota’s Influenza Vaccine Research and Development Roadmap, as of February 2026, there are 46 next-generation influenza vaccines in clinical development using a variety of technology platforms. This includes a broad-spectrum intranasal drug candidate called BPL-1357 that is being developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and a Phase II trial (NCT07215858) is expected to begin enrolling patients soon.

Other modalities are also gaining attention. MSD in November 2025 spent $9.2 billion Acquires Cidara Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing non-vaccine influenza prevention methods. Unlike traditional vaccines, Sidara’s small molecules do not rely on the immune system. Although it must be administered once per season, the long-lasting nature and chemical composition of the drug means that the manufacturing process does not need to be changed annually in response to changes in the influenza virus.

WHO says next-generation influenza vaccines will continue to be cost-effective and even cost-saving, and could help reduce reliance on antibiotics. The agency’s research suggests that the new shots could avoid up to 1.3 billion doses of antibiotics a day between 2025 and 2050.

“This evaluation highlights the potential benefits that improved influenza vaccines could bring to a variety of settings,” said Dr. Philippe Lambach, WHO technical lead on the project.

“This provides a common set of evidence to accelerate vaccine development for all those working on future influenza vaccine investment, policy development and research priorities,” he added.

The report was released in the context of the U.S. vaccine landscape. experience volatility In the past year. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. implemented policies to reduce reliance on vaccines for respiratory diseases. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially refused to review a new seasonal mRNA-based influenza vaccine developed by Moderna. Even though it’s an agency Agreed to make a U-turn and evaluate the jab.The indecision reflects the country’s difficult vaccine development situation.