Feb 25 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday its advisory committee is set to meet on March 12 to discuss and make recommendations on the strain composition of flu vaccines for use during the 2026-2027 season.

* Last year, the meeting was canceled, one of manydisruptions to vaccine-related advisory panels under healthsecretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. * Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has overseen sweepingrestructurings at the FDA and CDC, moves that have resulted inthe removal of multiple senior public‑health officials andcareer scientists. * Public health experts and lawmakers raised concerns aboutthe cancellation, which was unusual for the annual process thathelps manufacturers prepare for the next flu season. * Instead of holding the usual public advisory panel vote,the FDA made the strain selection internally and issuedrecommendations directly to manufacturers. * The committee advises the FDA by reviewing vaccine safetyand effectiveness data and recommending whether vaccines shouldbe approved, updated, or modified.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh and Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

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