Senator Marshall Calls for CDC to Clarify Seasonal Flu Shot Does Not Protect Against Bird Flu

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. is pushing back against misleading recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) promoting seasonal flu shots as offering sufficient protection from the H5N1 virus, more commonly referred to as the Bird Flu.

“Be aware that the CDC is using recent bird flu concerns to misleadingly suggest the flu shot offers broader protection than it actually does, it’s designed only for seasonal flu,” said Senator Marshall. “Examples like these are exactly why the American people have lost a lot of trust in our public health system. I hope the CDC immediately abandons its fear-mongering towards our farm workers and clarifies that the seasonal flu shot does not offer protection against the bird flu.”

Background: 

• New guidance published by the CDC this month encourages farm workers, especially those who work with dairy cattle, to get this year’s flu shot. The CDC is offering free flu shots to farm workers in 12 states, including Kansas. However, while the agency’s guidance notes that “the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against infection with H5N1,” even though some public health officials have suggested otherwise.
• Additionally, no Kansas dairy has tested positive for the H5N1 virus in several months, allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculture to remove limitations on the movement of dairy cattle in Kansas. 
• For the 2024-2025 season, most seasonal flu shots were developed to protect against three influenza viruses that researchers expect to be most common this flu season – H1N1, H3N2, and one strain of the influenza B virus. The flu shot reduces the risk of serious infection against these three strains but does not eliminate the risk of infection. Insurance typically covers the cost of a vaccination. Free and low-cost flu vaccines are commonly available from local health departments, clinics, or pharmacies.