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last mo.

Doctors Urge Flu Shots for All From 6 Months as Early H3N2 Wave Builds in Europe

Health agencies link the early surge to a drifted H3N2 variant, with vaccines still expected to prevent most severe cases.

Mutation H3N2 breitet sich aus: Die Illustration zeigt ein Influenza-Virus und eine infizierte menschliche Zelle.
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Overview

  • Germany’s RKI estimates about 7.2 million people currently have acute respiratory illnesses and reports rising influenza positives that signal the start of the flu wave.
  • The ECDC says activity is running 3 to 4 weeks earlier than recent seasons across Europe, driven by A(H3N2) Subclade K.
  • Intensive care specialists from DIVI are calling on Stiko to extend the official recommendation to vaccinate everyone from six months of age, citing last season’s toll of roughly 30,000 hospitalized minors, 500 ventilated children and adolescents, and 82 pediatric deaths.
  • Preliminary assessments indicate reduced protection against infection from the new subclade but continued defense against severe outcomes; a UK analysis estimates hospitalization protection around 70–75% in children and 30–40% in adults.
  • Regional authorities are stepping up responses, with Andalusia advising masks in health and social care facilities and urging rapid vaccination of risk groups as emergency departments report heavier traffic.