(DDM) – Health experts warn that the United States may be heading toward another severe flu season as a newly mutated virus strain spreads across multiple countries.
DDM notes that the strain, identified as subclade K, has already triggered early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, raising concerns that the U.S. could soon face the same pattern.
The warning follows last winter’s unusually harsh flu season, which saw the highest American flu hospitalization rates in nearly 15 years.
Officials reported at least 280 pediatric deaths, the greatest number since mandatory reporting began in 2004.
Scientists now fear that the combination of a new flu variant, reduced vaccination rates, and heavy holiday travel may lead to an even more dangerous season.
Epidemiologists say this year’s vaccine still offers notable protection against hospitalization caused by subclade K, particularly among children.
However, the benefits may be muted if large portions of the public continue skipping flu shots.
New data released by IQVIA, a major prescription analytics firm, shows that flu vaccinations are significantly lower than usual at this point in the year.
Health authorities describe the downward trend as alarming, especially with virus transmission expected to intensify between Thanksgiving and New Year travel peaks.
Public health officials emphasize that vaccines remain the most effective way to prevent severe illness, and they stress that the new variant has not rendered the shot useless.
Instead, researchers say early evidence suggests solid protection against severe complications, but only for those who receive the vaccine.
Experts warn that low vaccination coverage could allow subclade K to spread faster and infect more vulnerable populations, including young children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses.
Hospitals across the U.S. have already begun issuing advisories as they prepare for a possible spike in admissions similar to, or worse than, last year’s surge.
Doctors say the virus appears to be moving earlier in the season, following patterns seen in the U.K. and Japan, where infections climbed sharply before winter fully set in.
The CDC is expected to release updated guidance in the coming weeks, urging Americans to get vaccinated before holiday gatherings begin.
Health officials say the window is closing quickly, and delaying vaccination could leave millions unprotected as flu transmission accelerates nationwide.
Researchers caution that the next several weeks will determine whether the country faces a manageable flu cycle or a repeat of last year’s crisis.
They stress that the outcome depends largely on how many Americans choose to get vaccinated now, before infections peak.