What Are the 9 Influenza Vaccines Available for the 2025–2026 Respiratory Virus Season?

Key: IIV, inactivated influenza vaccine (injectable); cc, cell-based (eg, ccIIV); RIV, recombinant hemagglutinin influenza vaccine (injectable); aIIV, adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine

The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) continue to recommend annual influenza vaccination for all individuals aged 6 months and older, except in rare cases of contraindication. This includes all children, adults, and pregnant women.

For the 2025–2026 season, all US influenza vaccines are trivalent, covering 2 type A strains and 1 type B strain, according to the CDC. Based on recommendations made during the June meeting of the ACIP, the CDC advises use of single-dose, thimerosal-free formulations this season for all populations. Multidose vials containing the mercury-based preservative are no longer recommended and availability is expected to vary by manufacturer.

Notable 2025-2026 updates

• FluMist ((influenza vaccine live attenuated, intranasal) may now be self-administered or given by a caregiver. The ACIP made its recommendation in April 2025 and the product is anticipated to be available for the 2025-2026 flu season.
• Flublok (recombinant influenza vaccine) was approved i March 2025 for individuals aged 9 years and older, expanding eligibility from previous age limit of 18 years or older. The information has been updated in the Table of available US influenza vaccines for the 2025-2026 season.

There are no preferential recommendations made between vaccine types for most individuals. For adults aged 65 years and older, however, the preferred influenza vaccines are high-dose, inactivated, recombinant or adjuvanted inactivated formulations whenever they are available.

Pediatric Dosing. Children aged 6 months to 8 years who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time (or with unknown prior vaccination history) should be given 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.

The short slide show above is a quick look at the 9 influenza vaccine products available for the upcoming respiratory virus season, adapted from a popular 1-page summary document prepared by immunize​.org.