Online posts continue to debate the effectiveness and safety of flu vaccines amid reports of unvaccinated children dying and being hospitalized from the flu in the first weeks of 2026. Many users discussed the severity of this flu season and low flu vaccination rates, while others dismissed the reports as so-called propaganda. Several posts falsely claimed that flu and COVID-19 vaccines weaken the immune system and make people more likely to get the flu.
Recommendation
Myths and misconceptions about how flu vaccines protect individuals and communities may discourage vaccination during severe flu seasons. Health communicators may lead with evidence from trusted sources, such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and highlight that major medical organizations, including the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association, recommend flu vaccination to reduce the risk of flu infection, severe illness, and death. Debunking messaging may emphasize that flu and COVID-19 vaccines do not weaken the immune system or increase infection risk; instead, they work with your immune system, training it to fight infections and protect you from deadly diseases. Communicators may also note that flu infections can cause severe illness and that, during the 2024-2025 flu season, low vaccination rates in the U.S. contributed to a record number of child flu deaths.
Fact-checking sources: HealthyChildren.org, Public Good News
Communication resources: Read more key messages about the flu vaccine
