Aggressive H3N2 variant prompts changes to this year’s flu shot

NEW DELHI: After a year marked by an early and sharp rise in flu cases in several countries, India is set to update its seasonal influenza vaccine to deal with a fast-spreading new strain, reports Anuja Jaiswal.

The WHO has issued its annual recommendations for the 2026–27 northern hemisphere flu season, based on global surveillance data that showed a new A(H3N2) variant, known as subclade K, becoming dominant. India, as part of the northern hemisphere, follows this guidance each year to decide which strains are covered in the flu shot.

The new strain appears to spread more easily than the earlier versions. While it is not necessarily more severe for each infected person, its higher transmissibility has led to increased case numbers and earlier-than-usual flu activity in many regions.

“The updated recommendations are timely, given the rapid global spread of the new variant,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, director of internal medicine at Max Hospital, Saket. “H3N2 strains are often linked to more severe illness, especially in the elderly and those with medical conditions. Since influenza viruses keep changing, updating the vaccine each year is critical. High-risk groups’ early vaccination can reduce complications and hospital admissions.”

WHO has recommended updated components for H1N1, H3N2 and B/Victoria strains. Indian vaccine manufacturers will now align production to match these strains so that doses are available before peak transmission.

Doctors advise getting the flu shot before winter.

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