With new flu strain spreading, it’s not too late to get your flu shot

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 8, 2025) — Most years, the holiday season coincides with the start of flu season, and this year will likely be no different.  

However, a potentially severe flu variant spreading globally has experts recommending that Kentuckians add influenza preparedness to their holiday to-do lists.  

The best way to prepare for any flu season is to get your flu shot. Even if you still get the flu, the shot can protect against more severe and deadly illness. The shot takes about two weeks to become effective, so if you’re planning to travel or gather with loved ones later this December, the time to act is now.  

What is the new strain? 

Influenza is divided into two types: flu A and flu B, with flu A being further divided based on certain protein markers on its surface. Flu A is found in humans as well as animals like birds and pigs, and it mutates more easily — meaning it can also spread much faster. Flu B is only found in humans, so it doesn’t mutate as easily or spread as quickly. 

A type of flu A, called H3N2, mutated several times over the summer — after scientists had already selected the specific strains to be included in this year’s flu vaccine. The concern is that the new strain, called H3N2 subclade K, is mismatched with this year’s flu vaccine.  

Again, while this year’s vaccine may not always prevent you from being infected with the flu, it does protect against more severe flu symptoms, hospitalization and death.  

This year, other countries in the Northern Hemisphere — like Japan and the United Kingdom — have experienced early and severe flu seasons with H3N2 subclade K being the dominant strain.  

The United States has so far not seen an out-of-the-ordinary increase in flu cases this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest weekly flu update showed that seasonal flu activity was low nationally but was increasing with H3N2 being the dominant strain.  

How do I get a flu shot? 

Your local pharmacy or doctor’s office can give flu shots. Your local health department may also be able to provide flu shots. In Fayette County, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department offers free flu shots by appointment. 

Standard and high-dose flu shots are available at UK Retail Pharmacies for the wider Lexington community and UK students and employees. Standard flu shots are available for anyone age 5 and older at all UK Retail Pharmacy locations. The high-dose shot is approved for anyone age 65 and older. 

The UK Pharmacist Care Clinic, located at 245 Fountain Court, off Man O’War Boulevard near Richmond Road, offers flu vaccines for patients 6 months and older. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all UK Retail Pharmacy locations.  

In addition to flu protection, COVID vaccines are also available at UK Retail Pharmacies. The UK Pharmacy team can review indications and insurance coverage for the vaccine. Ask your pharmacist about receiving both vaccines during the same visit. For questions or scheduling help, you can reach the Pharmacist Care Team at 859-562-2018. 

How else can I protect myself from the flu?  

The best ways to avoid contracting the flu are:  

• Wash your hands regularly, using either soap and water for 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (allow it to dry completely before performing tasks or eating).  

• In large group settings or when working with patients or other immunocompromised populations, wearing a mask can help protect you from contracting the flu, or from spreading it to others.   

• Regularly sanitize surfaces in your home or work environment that come in frequent contact with people using soap or other disinfecting products designed to kill cold and flu viruses (such as Clorox or Lysol wipes). 

How does flu spread?   

Most commonly, flu spreads through close person-to-person contact with someone infected with the flu, especially if they are coughing or sneezing. It can also be transmitted by touching an object someone with the flu has touched, and then touching your face. By touching your face after exposure, the flu virus can enter your body through the eyes, nose or mouth and then move into your throat and lungs.   

Flu is so common — just how serious is it?  

Although the majority of people who get the flu will make a full recovery, it is still a dangerous disease for many people and can even lead to death. During the 2024-25 flu season, the CDC estimated that at least 38,000 deaths were attributed to influenza. The CDC considered the last flu season as the most severe since 2017-18.  

If the flu itself becomes very severe, the body’s inflammatory response to the disease can cause serious health problems such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), muscle tissue inflammation like myositis or rhabdomyolysis, or even organ failure. 

Some people experience further respiratory complications after having the flu, including secondary infections like viral or bacterial pneumonia. Sepsis, a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system, can also occur following a viral infection like the flu. 

Adults most at risk for developing these more severe illnesses from a flu infection include people age 65 and older, people of any age who have a chronic medical condition like heart disease, asthma or diabetes, and pregnant women. 

What about children who get the flu?  

Yes, flu can be dangerous for children. Of the flu deaths reported to the CDC so far this year, 57 were children. Those under the age of 5, and especially those younger than 2, are at risk of developing potentially serious flu-related complications. Children with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes are at even higher risk. However, flu-like complications like bacterial pneumonia are possible in otherwise healthy children. 

How can I protect my child from the flu?  

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from influenza. Because this flu season is far from over, it’s not too late for your child to be vaccinated. Influenza vaccination rates have been dropping in recent years, and according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, less than 17% of Kentucky children have been vaccinated against the flu this season. 

Children six months and older are recommended to get the flu vaccine annually. The vaccine may prevent your child from getting the flu or lower the possibility of flu-related hospitalization or death. During last year’s flu season, which was among the worst in the last 15 years, three Kentucky children died from influenza. 

How do I know if I have the flu?  

Typically, people with the flu have a relatively quick onset of symptoms, with fevers, chills, aches, cough and nasal symptoms like stuffiness or runny noses. Sometimes, people can have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well. 

Over-the-counter tests are readily available at local pharmacies for COVID and influenza, and they are a good way to get a diagnosis without leaving your house — you can get results in as little as 15 minutes. 

If you do not have an over-the-counter test at home, call your doctor’s office or check-in with local pharmacies, including  UK Pharmacy Services, to see about testing and treatment. 

While a trip to urgent care or your doctor’s office is generally recommended if you think you have the flu, seek out emergency care if you or a loved one experience any of these severe symptoms:  

• Shortness of breath or a bluish tint to skin or lips  

• Inability to think clearly; confusion  

• Significant dehydration (either from inability to eat/drink or from vomiting/diarrhea)  

• Sudden dizziness or frequent dizzy spells 

What are the treatments for flu?   

There are treatments for flu. Treatment works best when given early in the course of illness, and is most prescribed for those at risk for severe complications from flu (people over 65 years of age, those with several medical illnesses, younger children). 

At UK, we typically use oseltamivir (name brand Tamiflu®) or baloxavir (name brand Xofluza®). These are antivirals that can help reduce symptoms or shorten the length of time you experience symptoms. To be effective, they must be taken within 48 hours of developing symptoms and are available through prescription only. 

I’ve already had the flu. I’m good, right?  

Unfortunately, no. You can contract flu twice in the same season. Most often, this happens when someone gets flu A earlier in the season and then flu B later on (flu B infections peak later than flu A infections). Additionally, because flu A mutates so quickly, it is possible to come down with another variant of flu A later in the season. 

If you had one type of flu and did not get a vaccination, it is still recommended to receive the vaccine — the vaccines are designed to help your body fight off multiple strains of flu A and B.