Ep 37: Flu is Surging: Season Updates, What H3N2 Subclade K Means, and How Well the Flu Shot is Holding Up

About this episode

This episode discusses the current flu season, the significance of H3N2 subclade K, and the effectiveness of the flu shot.

Influenza is rising rapidly across the U.S., and headlines about H3N2 and “new variants” are everywhere. In this episode, I break down what the data actually show, what’s driving this flu season, what H3N2 subclade K really means, how well the flu shot is holding up (spoiler- it's doing fine!), and what matters most for protecting your family. Using current CDC surveillance data and real-world vaccine effectiveness, we put this season into clear perspective. I also share how our household is thinking about and managing play dates, preschool and traveling during an active flu season. Citations: Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics | Influenza (Flu) | CDC Influenza (Flu) | Influenza (Flu) | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/flu/php/surveillance/in-season-severity.html https://www.cdc.gov/flu/hcp/clinical-signs/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/coldflu.html Understanding Influenza Viruses | Influenza (Flu) | CDC Legal: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content reflects general public health information and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance…

People in this episode

Host: Jessica Stahl

Topics covered

• influenza
• H3N2
• flu season
• vaccine effectiveness
• public health

Keywords

• influenza
• H3N2
• flu shot
• CDC
• vaccine effectiveness
• public health
• flu season

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CDC

More episodes of Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast

• BREAKING NEWS: Hantavirus Explained - Should We Be Worried? · May 9, 2026 · 24 min
• Ep 38: Is Nipah Virus Really a Pandemic Threat? What This Deadly Virus Reveals About Clickbait and Risk Perception · February 19, 2026 · 29 min
• Ep 36: John Snow and Why Public Health History Matters · December 15, 2025 · 41 min
• Ep 35: Meat Allergy from a Tick Bite? Alpha-Gal Syndrome Explained and How to Prevent It · December 1, 2025 · 33 min
• Ep 34: How to Land Your Dream Job in Public Health + Sample Networking Emails & List of Job Titles · November 24, 2025 · 1h 20m
• Ep 33: Diphtheria and Dog Sleds: Racing Antitoxin Across Alaska in 1925 · November 5, 2025 · 39 min