Overview
- The ECDC reports influenza activity is rising across the European Economic Area about three to four weeks earlier than in recent seasons and urges immediate vaccination of at-risk groups.
- Surveillance identifies A(H3N2) subclade K as the main driver of current transmission across Europe.
- Genetic differences from the WHO-selected J.2 vaccine strain and early UK data point to a mismatch, with estimated protection of about 70–75% in vaccinated children versus roughly 30–40% in adults against severe disease.
- The United Kingdom has entered an early wave with increasing hospitalizations and modeling of higher transmissibility, while Germany’s RKI notes only sporadic cases so far, including some A(H3N2).
- ECDC is preparing for a potentially more severe season though the impact on health systems remains uncertain, and national guidance such as Stiko’s advises high-risk groups to get vaccinated now.