Flu isn’t just a minor illness. Even healthy people can be hospitalized, and in Canada, influenza and pneumonia are among the top 10 causes of death (1,10,17). Most people hospitalized because of the flu are not vaccinated (10,17,18).
Flu is high right now, and this year H3N2 (subclade K) is spreading fast (19). Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match, it still helps reduce severe illness and hospitalization. Knowing what’s normal (and what isn’t) can also help keep ERs available for people who truly need urgent care (9).
Save and share this to help someone this week.
Sources
- Influenza vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide | Government of Canada | Partial updated May, 2025
- “Superflu” or same old flu? How subclade K influenza is playing out worldwide | Gavi – VaccinesWorks | December 19, 2025
- Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report – Influenza | Government of Canada | Last updated December 19, 2025
- Seasonal influenza – Global situation | World Health Organization | December 10, 2025
- A New H3N2 Influenza Strain Is Raising Concerns About This Flu Season | JAMA | December 19, 2025
- Everything you need to know about ‘subclade K’ flu – and vaccine protection against it | Gavi – VaccinesWork | November 14, 2025
- Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2025-2026 northern hemisphere influenza season | World Health Organization | February 28, 2025
- How Flu Viruses Can Change: “Drift” and “Shift” | CDC | September 17, 2024
- Flu (seasonal influenza): For health professionals | Government of Canada
- Is there any point in getting a flu shot that’s mismatched to the virus? Here’s what the science says | CBC News | November 13, 2025
- Influenza Pocket Guide 2025-2026 | Immunize Canada
- A new influenza variant is circulating: Here’s how you can protect yourself | Fraser Health | December 11, 2025
- Effectiveness of influenza vaccination to prevent severe disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of test-negative design studies | Clinical Microbiology and Infection on PubMed | October 13, 2025
- Statement on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2025–2026 | Government of Canada | April 2025
- Flu (seasonal influenza): Symptoms and treatment | Government of Canada
- Influenza in children | Caring for kids
- Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During a High Severity Season | Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season | September 11, 2025
- Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths | United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season | September 25, 2025
- H3N2 flu is surging — and just had the ‘perfect environment’ for a spike | Globalnews.ca | January 2, 2026
- Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) | World Health Organization
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