1. #Influenza experts from around the world have been meeting virtually with WHO experts over the past week or so to decide which flu strains ought to be in the 2021 winter flu shot for the southern hemisphere. Their report is here: https://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/202009_recommendation.pdf?ua=1
2. The Trump administration is withdrawing the US from @WHO next year & is already blocking cooperation with the global health agency in many circumstances. BUT: US-govt agencies (CDC-FDA) & the WHO flu collaborating center at St Jude Hospital took part in this meeting.
3. The gathered scientists had fewer strains than usual on which to base their recommendations. Pressures of #Covid19 on surveillance systems & less transmission of flu potentially due to travel restrictions are cited as the reason why.
4. Does less flu in the 2020 southern hemisphere winter mean we in the north will experience the same this winter? Remains to be seen. There is more international travel now than in May-June-July. People are tiring of #Covid restrictions & some jurisdictions are lifting them.
5. Back to the strain selection for the 2021 southern hemisphere flu shot: The experts recommended only 1 change, the H1N1 component of the vaccine. That will be good news for flu vaccine manufacturers. Multiple changes complicates making flu vaccine.
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