Jonathan Lambert

The WHO coordinates a global network of labs that monitor how flu is evolving.

Twice a year, scientists come together to make sense of all that data and recommend updated vaccines.

The U.S.

historically plays a major role in those meetings, but in the run-up to this one, it wasn't clear whether they'd even show.

Because of that, some experts worried the U.S.

could lose influence in shaping the composition of the vaccine.

The CDC did send representatives, albeit virtually, to the meeting, which concluded on Friday.

The updated shot will include several strains that heavily affected the U.S.

during this flu season.

If approved by FDA, the vaccine will be available in the fall.

Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

Twice a year, scientists from around the world...

cram into a conference room to talk flu.

They go over reams of data collected from 130 countries about how the virus is spreading to design next season's vaccine.

There was some question over whether the U.S.

would participate this year, since the U.S.

says it's now officially out of the WHO.

But the U.S.

is there, at least virtually.

Ali Khan is dean of public health at the University of Nebraska.