At a Glance
- Subclade K variant is causing high hospitalizations in the UK.
- Low U.S. vaccination rates risk a severe flu season.
- The vaccine still offers protection against K.
- Why it matters: Get vaccinated now to protect yourself and reduce hospital strain.
Intro paragraph: The flu season is already intense, driven by a new subclade K variant of influenza A. Experts warn that the UK NHS is facing a worst-case scenario, while U.S. low vaccination rates could trigger a historically bad season.
The Surge of Subclade K
The subclade K subtype has historically led to more hospitalizations and deaths than other strains. In the United Kingdom, the NHS is reporting an unprecedented wave of super flu, putting the healthcare system under severe strain.
NHS National Medical Director Meghana Pandit said:
> “The unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year.”
Vaccination: Still the Best Defense
Despite the K subtype’s evasiveness, the current flu vaccine remains effective. Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explained:
> “It is not too late to get a flu shot. We’re really at the beginning of the influenza season here in the U.S.”
He added that the vaccine covers all three influenza strains and offers good protection against the K H2N2 virus.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University’s Department of Health Policy, told News Of Austin:
> “We don’t claim the vaccine to be perfect, it’s not, [but] it works better at keeping you out of the hospital, the intensive care unit and helping keep you out of the cemetery.”
CDC Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The agency advises that getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk from flu and its potentially serious complications. It takes up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to take full effect.
Key Takeaways
- The subclade K variant is driving a severe flu season in the UK and poses a risk in the U.S.
- Vaccination remains the most effective protection, even against the evasive K subtype.
- The CDC recommends the flu shot for all adults and children 6 months and older, with protection building over two weeks.
The urgency of getting vaccinated now cannot be overstated, as the vaccine’s protection is already critical in preventing hospitalizations and severe outcomes.
