Overview
- The RKI says the influenza season started in late November with a steep upswing, reporting a week‑to‑week doubling of confirmed cases in early December and estimating over seven million people currently off sick with respiratory infections.
- A rapidly expanding H3N2 subclade known as K is driving transmission in parts of Europe, and experts are tracking it for higher transmissibility without evidence of greater severity.
- The PEI reports about 18.5 million doses released this season, yet lower preorders and high demand have produced regional shortages, with some vaccines such as Efluelda and Fluenz listed as sold out at manufacturers.
- Health authorities emphasize that the vaccine may be less protective against infection but is expected to reduce severe illness, and full protection builds over roughly three weeks after vaccination.
- Doctors report rising consultations and staff absences, while DIVI and hospital groups note limited severe cases so far and ongoing monitoring of capacity.