The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy () at the University of Minnesota hosted a webinar on August 19, 2025, to update the public on the best evidence and science for the vaccines to be used in the fall and winter of 2025-2026. This is part of , where experts in public health, epidemiology, virology, vaccines, and medicine in general were brought in to analyze the best evidence on vaccine effectiveness and safety.
You can watch the whole presentation here:
Or continue to read below for a summary.
The discussion included the following panelists and presenters:
Presenters/Scientific Review Team:
- – Infectious Diseases Physician & Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford School of Medicine
- – Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
- – Pediatrician, Mass General Brigham for Children; Instructor, Harvard Medical School
- – Assistant Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Panelists:
- Dr. Oliver T. Brooks – Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Charles Drew University of Medicine; retired Chief Medical Officer, Watts Healthcare Corporation; past President, National Medical Association; past ACIP member; Board Member, National Foundation of Infectious Diseases
- Dr. Katelyn Jetelina – Epidemiologist and scientific communicator ("Your Local Epidemiologist"); Adjunct Professor, Yale School of Public Health; Medical Board, Make a Wish Foundation; Lancet Commission for Trust and Health
- Dr. Eric Rubin – Infectious Disease Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Professor, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Editor-in-Chief, New England Journal of Medicine
- Dr. Marc Seigel – Senior Medical Analyst, Fox News; Clinical Professor of Medicine and Internist, NYU Langone Medical Center; Medical Director of Dr. Radio on SiriusXM
Moderator/Introductions:
- Dr. Michael Osterholm – Director, University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)
Observing the Evidence Review
The event featured a meticulous, systematic review of published studies—over 17,000 articles were screened, with nearly 600 meeting the rigorous criteria for inclusion. The review focused on real-world vaccine effectiveness and safety for three major threats: COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Special attention was given to pregnant people, children, and immunocompromised adults, populations at higher risk each season.
Pregnancy: Strong Evidence for Safety and Efficacy
According to the presentation, the evidence continues to show that vaccinating during pregnancy is both safe and effective:
- Influenza vaccination was reaffirmed as beneficial, reducing the risk of flu-related clinical visits during pregnancy.
- RSV immunization during late pregnancy (32–36 weeks) was highlighted for its robust protection of newborns, lowering hospitalizations significantly in infants’ first months of life.
- No new safety issues were detected for the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. The effectiveness data remains strong, supported by previous research.
Children: Multiple Viruses, Proven Protection
The review underlined the importance of vaccinating children, noting that:
- The RSV monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) showed high effectiveness—up to 93% against hospitalization and 91% against ICU admissions for infants.
- COVID-19 and flu vaccines for young people were shown to reduce emergency visits and admissions, with no new safety concerns. Particularly for myocarditis, the data suggest that risks after boosters remain low and less than those seen after infection.
- Pediatric safety profiles were reassuring overall, with no uptick in rare conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome after vaccination.
Immunocompromised Adults: Defined Risks and Strong Benefits
The review also addressed the needs of immunocompromised adults:
- All three vaccines were found to be less effective than in the general population, but still offered significant protection against severe outcomes.
- Safety signals were rare; a slightly elevated risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome was noted for RSV vaccine, but the absolute risk remains very low.
Conclusion: Evidence Drives Policy
The presenter concluded that the published data from the past year continues to support broad and equitable immunization with COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for those at heightened risk. Guidance from professional societies aligns with these findings—no new safety issues have emerged, and the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh the risks.
The video and review serve as a strong endorsement of ongoing public health vaccination strategies, emphasizing both the rigor of the evidence and the importance of continued surveillance and equity in vaccine access.