What is the new flu variant that Dr. Punam warned about?

The new flu variant that Dr. Punam warned about is a mutated strain of the virus that is believed to be more harmful to children than previous strains.

How does the timing of this year's flu spike differ from previous years?

According to Dr. Punam, the flu spike happened much earlier this year, in early October, compared to the usual late November timeframe. This means people are not as well-protected as the NHS vaccination campaigns started later.

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Mutated Flu Variant Alarms Doctors, Threatens Children

Q: How has the new flu variant affected immunity?

Dr. Punam explained that the new flu strain has mutated, or changed, this summer. This means that any previous exposure or vaccine protection that people may have had is now weaker against the new variant.

14 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Flu spike occurred earlier this year, in early October
New flu strain has mutated, weakening previous immunity
Medical community is particularly worried about this year's flu season

Mutated Flu Variant Alarms Doctors, Threatens Children

A concerning new development has emerged in the ongoing battle against the flu virus. According to NHS doctor and regular BBC guest, Dr. Punam, a mutated flu variant that is believed to be more harmful to children than previous strains has been detected.

Speaking on BBC Morning Live on Friday, Dr. Punam explained that the medical community is particularly worried about this year's flu season. Typically, the spike in flu cases is seen around late November, but this year, the spike happened much earlier, in the beginning of October. This means that people are not as well-protected, as the NHS vaccination campaigns have started later in recent years.

Adding to the concern is the emergence of a new strain of the flu virus. Dr. Punam stated that the usual flu virus has undergone a mutation, or change, this summer. This means that any previous exposure or vaccine protection that people may have had is now weaker against the new variant.