Protection, however, dropped from 40% to 18% after 120 or more days.
Two lawmakers raise concerns about future scientific credibility and the availability of vaccines.
The rate also increased with each additional underlying medical condition.
The death-rate ratio of adults aged 70 years and older and children younger than 5 years climbed globally, with the Western Pacific Region experiencing the largest increase.
Like the recent WHO recommendation, the picks change the H3N2 strain for egg- and cell-based vaccines.
ACIP members have routinely stated any conflicts of interest at the start of each meeting and ahead of each discussion and vote.
Estimates of current mid-season flu vaccine effectiveness in Europe and China range from 32% to 58% overall, with greater protection against influenza B than A.
The group also recommended two vaccine strains for pandemic preparedness, one for the H5N1 2.3.2.1a clade and another targeting the reemerging H5N6 2.3.4.4h clade.
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee was scheduled to meet March 13 to select virus strains for the 2025-26 flu vaccine.
The top motivator for getting vaccinated was a strong clinician recommendation.
