Published 2025-11-20 21.40
This year’s flu season has started unusually early in the EU compared to previous years, states the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).
But in Sweden, the season has not yet started, according to the Public Health Agency.
The increase in the number of flu cases in recent weeks is primarily driven by the H3N2 influenza A virus, where many of the cases involve the newly discovered virus variant known as the K variant, which could mean increased spread of infection and poorer vaccine protection.
ECDC writes on its website that analyzes show a “significant discrepancy” between the K variant and the vaccine based on the (A)H3N2 virus, but that the vaccine is “still expected to provide protection against serious disease”.
Acting state epidemiologist Erik Sturegård at the Public Health Agency tells SvD that the flu season in Sweden has not started yet.
– We see a risk that this variant can more easily evade the protection of the immune system, which means that it could be a tougher flu season than usual, Sturegård tells the newspaper.