Overview
- Rospotrebnadzor confirms a seasonal uptick in respiratory infections and flu across Russia, with A(H3N2) leading circulation.
- The circulating H3N2 is very close to the WHO-recommended vaccine variant yet shows several mutations that influence antigenicity, with specialized studies at the Vektor center underway.
- Early serology in vaccinated people finds 80–90% neutralization of the circulating H3N2, pointing to adequate vaccine effectiveness.
- Monitoring indicates A(H1N1) and influenza B currently match the vaccine strains in use.
- Rospotrebnadzor’s Alexander Gorelov says the season’s vaccine remains relevant, case rates have not exceeded long-term averages, and a clearer picture is expected by week 52.