21/11/2025
!
ECDC recommends vaccinating without delay due to early flu circulation.
Influenza is circulating earlier than usual across the EU/EEA this season - our latest assessment shows detections rising around 3–4 weeks earlier than in the past two years, driven largely by a newly emerged A(H3N2) subclade K strain.
With the full impact of the season still uncertain, early action matters - particularly for people at higher risk of severe disease.
𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
▪️ adults aged 65+,
▪️ pregnant people,
▪️ individuals with chronic conditions or weakened immunity,
▪️ residents of long-term-care or other closed settings,
▪️ healthcare workers and staff working with vulnerable groups.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 and 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 are also encouraged to reinforce 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 and consider the use of antivirals for outbreak control where appropriate.
Clear communication on 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 remains essential as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV are all expected to circulate in the coming winter months.
Learn more in our:
Press release: https://bit.ly/4p203uk
Threat Assessment Brief: https://bit.ly/485D8XP