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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/transmissible-a-public-health-podcast-6613606/ep-37-flu-is-surging-season-updates-what-h3n2-subclade-k-means-and-how-well-the-flu-shot-is-holding-up
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/transmissible-a-public-health-podcast-6613606/ep-37-flu-is-surging-season-updates-what-h3n2-subclade-k-means-and-how-well-the-flu-shot-is-holding-up.md
Podcast: [Transmissible: A Public Health Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/transmissible-a-public-health-podcast-6613606)
Published: 2026-01-05T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-stahl8/episodes/Ep-37-Flu-is-Surging-Season-Updates--What-H3N2-Subclade-K-Means--and-How-Well-the-Flu-Shot-is-Holding-Up-e3d64vi
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/e642804c/podcast/play/113496498/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-8%2F417672802-44100-2-1cccc495fc972.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1795

## Resource

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 of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or health decisions.

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## Transcript

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