A new strain of flu is spreading rapidly in the US, causing school districts to prepare for the worst

Schools across the United States are gearing up for increased illnesses and absences as a rapidly spreading flu variant gains momentum nationwide. The H3N2 subclade K has already caused a rise in hospitalizations in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom. Early reports indicate that this seasons flu vaccine may be less effective against this strain due to multiple mutations that differ from the vaccines target.

Despite concerns about vaccine effectiveness, health experts emphasize that getting vaccinated still provides significant protection. Even a partially effective flu shot can reduce severe illness, hospital admissions, and the overall transmission of the virus.

Even if a flu vaccine only reduces your risk by 30 percent, it dramatically lowers the chances of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, explained Ryan Maves, professor of infectious disease at Wake Forest University. The vaccine may not completely prevent infection, but it substantially decreases the risk of the worst outcomes.

The K variant is already linked to higher hospitalization rates abroad and may limit the protection offered by this years vaccine. Nevertheless, experts continue to advocate vaccination as a crucial tool to prevent serious illness and slow the viruss spread.

Unlike other mandatory school immunizations, flu shots are not required for students in any U.S. state, and last year fewer than half of children received the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 5 percent positivity rate for influenza in clinical labs last week, up from 2.9 percent the previous week, with the increase particularly noticeable among younger populations.

Health officials note that schools and medical providers have received less federal support than in previous years, a shift attributed to the current administrations skepticism toward vaccines. The previous flu season experienced some of the highest hospitalization rates in recent memory and resulted in the deaths of over 280 children.

The K strain produces severe flu symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, headaches, chills, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to four days after exposure and are more intense than typical colds.

Beyond vaccination, limiting the spread also depends on encouraging students and staff to stay home when sick. This strategy has become increasingly difficult for schools already coping with chronic absenteeism and staffing shortages.

Lynn Nelson of the National Association of School Nurses explained that traditional absenteeism benchmarks are no longer reliable indicators of flu outbreaks due to post-pandemic attendance patterns. She recommends focusing on symptom monitoring and gathering information from parents about why children are absent. Clusters of cases with sudden high fever may signal influenza and require closer attention from school officials.

Author: Ethan Caldwell