Here's what's up with the new influenza variant H3N2, and how to prep

Now.

Last year’s flu season was the worst in terms of hospitalizations and deaths in the US in about 15-20 years. The influenza variant that went around was rougher than usual…and unfortunately it seems like this year will be bad, too. There’s an unusual new variant called H3N2, and while this year’s flu shot should help, this mutated virus arrived on the scene too late to be included in our flu shots specifically.

As we enter this 2025-26 influenza season, public health experts are sounding an early alarm, too. My post will cover the current situation with the H3N2 subclade K variant, explain what antigenic drift means for this season, review the serious health risks of influenza infection, discuss vaccine effectiveness including promising early data from the UK, and compare antiviral treatment options between oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and the newer baloxavir (Xofluza). Understanding these factors can help us make informed decisions, and for some mindsets, to prepare for the worst.

And a quic…