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Flu Shots Crucial as New H3N2 Variant Threatens Canadians
13 Nov
Summary
- New H3N2 strain could be mismatched to this year's flu vaccine
- Flu shots still offer strong protection against severe illness and death
- 90% of children who died from flu last season were not fully vaccinated
As of November 13th, 2025, Canada is bracing for another challenging flu season, with the number of cases starting to rise. Scientists are particularly concerned about the spread of a new form of the H3N2 influenza A strain, which could be mismatched to this year's vaccine.
Despite this potential mismatch, medical experts are adamant that Canadians should still get their flu shots. While the vaccine's effectiveness can vary each season as the virus evolves, the latest shots have been shown to significantly reduce the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalization or death. In fact, a recent study found that the flu vaccine cut the risk of needing a doctor's visit by half during the last flu season.
The flu can be especially dangerous for vulnerable groups, such as older adults and young children. Data shows that roughly 90% of children who died from the flu last season were not fully vaccinated. Experts stress that getting vaccinated is crucial not just for individual protection, but also to help curb the overall spread of the virus and safeguard those at highest risk.
While the flu vaccine may not be a perfect match against the emerging H3N2 strain, health authorities maintain that it is still vitally important for Canadians to get their shots. As one expert put it, "Even though it might not be a great match, its ability to prevent severe infection further reinforces the importance of getting vaccinated."
