Harvard Study Finds Flu Vaccine Prevents Up to 14 Cases Per 100 Children
A study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School has found that the childhood influenza vaccine can prevent between 9 and 14 cases of flu per 100 children vaccinated. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed insurance claims for children aged two to five years over five flu seasons from 2016 to 2023, excluding the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons due to COVID-19. The research highlighted that children with autumn birthdays had higher vaccination rates and lower influenza diagnosis rates compared to those with summer birthdays. The study was released on June 1, 2026, coinciding with discussions by the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) on the role of community pharmacies in delivering childhood vaccinations. Nick Thayer, head of policy at the CCA, emphasized the capacity of pharmacies to administer vaccines, particularly in underserved communities, and mentioned plans for pharmacies to deliver catch-up HPV vaccines. 
