Overview
- Germany’s RKI dates the season start to the week of 24 November, two to three weeks earlier than the past two years, with about 7.2 million acute respiratory illnesses estimated for the week of 1 December.
- RKI surveillance confirms circulation of Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 across Germany.
- UKHSA and media report an H3N2 subvariant known as “Subclade K” driving rising positivity and hospitalizations, with high absenteeism and some temporary school closures; officials advise mask use when symptomatic.
- Germany’s vaccination panel STIKO is urgently reviewing broader recommendations, while the intensive care society DIVI calls for flu shots for everyone from six months of age.
- Health authorities stress that vaccination still pays off now, with protection developing in 10–14 days, and report ample supply and rising uptake, including about one million doses recorded in Austria and 18.8 million doses available in Germany.