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A meta-analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine of 511 studies found peer-reviewed evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of vaccines for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza during the 2025–2026 season. The COVID-19 vaccines for the XBB.1.5 variant had a pooled vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization of 46-50% among adults and 37% among adults with weakened immune systems, according to the analysis. For RSV, vaccines had pooled estimates of 68% for maternal vaccination to protect infants; 83% for the monoclonal antibody preventive nirsevimab in infants; and 79% in adults aged 60 years and older. The pooled effectiveness of the flu vaccine against hospitalization was 48% in adults and 67% in children. One study of flu vaccine included in the analysis specifically showed an effectiveness of 46% during pregnancy (95% confidence interval, 36-55) against flu-related visits to emergency departments or urgent care.
Wade through the data: A senior author notes in a news brief in CIDRAP from the University of Minnesota, which hosts the Vaccine Integrity Project and organized the research team to analyze this vaccine evidence, that “there’s a sea of data” to “reaffirm the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines.” Additional information about the analysis and the sources is available on the Vaccine Integrity Project website.