Inside STAT: U.S. withdrawal from WHO threatens to leave it 'flying blind' on flu vaccines

WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS AT THE AGENCY'S HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

The pending withdrawal of the U.S. from the WHO doesn't just carry serious consequences for the current pandemic, but also for the management of other diseases, including the flu. The U.S. holds three seats in the group that meets every year to decide which flu variants ought to be included in the annual influenza vaccine, and pulling out of the global health agency throws the status of those seats in jeopardy. Without a presence at that table, the U.S. would be flying blind when it comes to making its own decisions about a yearly flu shot, since most flu variants don't emerge in the U.S. and intelligence from others would help the country make informed decisions. Not having a seat at the table and being part of the analysis "would be a blow," infectious disease specialist Richard Webby tells STAT's Helen Branswell. Read more here.