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It is the Holy Grail of influenza science: a universal flu vaccine that could provide protection against virtually all strains instead of a select few. A burst of recent headlines have suggested that we might get one soon. Just last week, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases released a strategic plan for the development of a universal flu vaccine, prompting the White House science office to proclaim on Twitter that the goal is “closer than ever.” (Branswell, 3/5)

When their daughter was diagnosed with severe autism, Heather and Brandon Murray realized they’d have to protect her in ways they hadn’t with their other two children. They never left her alone. They raised the locks in their house beyond her reach, so she couldn’t get outside and hurt herself. They stuck a sign onto the back of their car: “In an emergency situation, please be aware child may . . . have no awareness of danger.” But it was the family who was unaware of the danger posed this winter, as the worst flu season in a decade hospitalized at least 23,000 people, killed thousands — including at least 114 children — and by the time it passes, probably will have hit poor families like the Murrays the hardest. (McCoy, 3/2)

The worst of the nation’s flu season may be over, according to new data from federal officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday said the 2017–2018 flu season peaked in early February and is now on the decline. While 45 states plus Puerto Rico continued to report widespread flu activity, that number is down compared to past weeks, the CDC said Friday. (Weixel, 3/2)

The worst of the flu season is over, but increasing numbers of people are being infected by a secondary strain of the respiratory virus that could lead to a late-season bump, according to a federal health report released Friday. Public health officials have said this flu season is likely to continue until mid-April, and the intensity of illness has made it the worst since the swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010. An additional 17 child deaths were reported across the country for the week ending Feb. 24. That brings the total of child deaths to at least 114 for the 2017-2018 season. (Sun, 3/2)

The disease is "widespread" in 45 states and Puerto Rico. But health officials in Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, New Hampshire, Hawaii and the District of Columbia report that they're seeing only regional or local flu activity. "That's a very good sign that activity is decreasing. There still is a lot of flu out there," says Dr. Alicia Fry who works in the influenza division at the CDC. (Harris, 3/2)

After two brutal months, state officials delivered good news Friday: the flu season has peaked. The determination was made in a new Texas Department of Health report that shows flu activity declined for the fourth consecutive week as of Feb. 24. The percentage of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms as of the last full week in February was 8.5, down from nearly 15  percent five weeks ago. (Ackerman, 3/2)