CDC’s Public Flu Vaccination Campaign Vanishes

While the basic information about flu vaccination remains on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, information campaigns that promoted flu vaccination to the general public are absent, at least temporarily, from other online and physical sites, according to a recent report from the National Public Radio (NPR), who received information from current CDC staff. Medscape Medical News was not able to independently verify this information.

According to CDC staff, who spoke to NPR under the condition of anonymity, the agency was asked to pull a recent publicity campaign called “Wild to Mild” that emphasized the benefits of the flu vaccine, including the potential for less severe illness even if one does get the flu. The CDC’s website still includes information about the campaign in the form of a press release about its launch in 2023.

In the future, the CDC may be asked to develop vaccination ads that focus on informed consent, according to further anonymous reports from CDC staff to the website, STAT.

Messaging Changes and Patient Perceptions

Changing the angle on advertising for currently recommended vaccines may have a negative impact on vaccination rates, said Shirin A. Mazumder, MD, and infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview.

Informed consent ensures that patients understand the risks and benefits of any type of medical treatment offered to them, and many clinicians already discuss issues related to informed consent before administering any vaccines, Mazumder said.

“A shift in the messaging away from the benefit of vaccines has the potential to affect public perception and lead to an increase in vaccine preventable illnesses and deaths in a population where vaccine uptake for flu and other respiratory viruses is already low,” she said.

“Creating a balanced message that is easy for the general public to understand is crucial for any campaign, but especially one that centers around public health,” said Mazumder. Such campaigns should encourage patients to ask their healthcare providers to help them interpret the information, which should be accurate and rooted in scientific data, and how it applies to their specific healthcare needs, she said.

Making patients aware of the benefits and potential risks of any medical treatment, including vaccinations, is important for any public health campaign, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. With regard to flu, data show that “for the majority of the population, the benefits of the flu vaccine far outweigh the risks,” she said. “Although every flu season is different, a substantial portion of the population is affected every year,” she added. Those at increased risk, including the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals who are immunocompromised or have underlying medical conditions, should be aware of the potential for flu-related complications and the importance of getting vaccinated to help prevent negative flu-related outcomes, she said.

View from the Clinic

“We are currently in the midst of one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years,” Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. Data on flu activity from the CDC from February 8, 2025, showed that more than 50,000 patients were hospitalized, she noted.

“We have substantial data regarding the safety and efficacy of not only the flu vaccine, but other vaccines aimed to protect against additional respiratory viruses, and it is crucial for medical professionals to continue to share scientific data with our patients to help them make the best decisions for their healthcare,” Mazumder said.