{"id":490534,"date":"2026-01-03T23:58:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/490534\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T23:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:58:18","slug":"san-antonio-flu-cases-are-on-the-rise-its-not-too-late-to-get-vaccinated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/490534\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio flu cases are on the rise. It\u2019s not too late to get vaccinated."},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 As San Antonio enters the New Year, doctors said it is not too late to receive your flu shot.<\/p>\n

Flu levels have increased to high levels, according to the latest data from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District<\/a> and Texas Health and Human Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During the city\u2019s most recent reporting period, 17.74% of tests were positive, up 104.75% from the week prior.<\/p>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated, nationally, there have been at least 7.5 million illnesses<\/a>, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths from flu so far this season. That includes at least eight child deaths \u2014 and is based on data as of Dec. 20, before major holiday gatherings.<\/p>\n

Many of these cases have stemmed from a new variant, known as \u201csubclade K.\u201d<\/p>\n

Subclade K led to early outbreaks<\/a> in the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not too late to get a flu shot, which health experts say can still prevent severe illness even if someone gets infected.<\/p>\n

While this year\u2019s vaccine isn\u2019t a perfect match to the subclade K strain, a preliminary analysis from the U.K.<\/a> found it offered at least partial protection, lowering people\u2019s risk of hospitalization.<\/p>\n

According to the CDC, only about 42% of adults and children have gotten a flu vaccination so far this year.<\/p>\n

What is subclade K flu?<\/p>\n

The flu virus is a shape-shifter, constantly mutating, and it comes in multiple forms. There are two subtypes of Type A flu, and subclade K is a mutated version of one of them, named H3N2. That H3N2 strain is always harsh, especially for older adults.<\/p>\n

Subclade K\u2019s mutations aren\u2019t enough of a change to be considered an entirely new kind of flu.<\/p>\n

But they\u2019re different enough to evade some of the protection from this year\u2019s vaccine, said Andrew Pekosz, a virus expert at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

Will subclade K make people sicker?<\/p>\n

The CDC said it\u2019s too soon to know how severe this season will be.<\/p>\n

Flu seasons dominated by any version of H3N2 tend to be bad, with more infections overall and more people becoming seriously ill. But Hopkins\u2019 Pekosz cautioned it will take time to tease apart whether this subclade K version simply spreads more easily or also is more dangerous.<\/p>\n

That question aside, the CDC notes there are some prescription medicines to treat flu \u2014 usually recommended for people at high risk of complications. But they generally need to be started a day or two after symptoms begin.<\/p>\n

Who needs a flu vaccine?<\/p>\n

The CDC and major medical societies all recommend a flu vaccine for just about everyone age 6 months and older. Despite lots of recent misinformation<\/a> and confusion<\/a> about vaccines, the flu recommendations haven\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n

Flu is particularly dangerous for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people of any age who have chronic health problems, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and weak immune systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe flu vaccine is not 100% protective,\u201d said Dr. Jason Bowling, an epidemiologist at UT Health San Antonio,” but what it can really do is reduce your risk of having to see a doctor, or end up in the hospital.”<\/p>\n

The vaccines are brewed to protect against three influenza strains. Despite concern over that new H3N2 variant, they appear to be a good match against H1N1 and Type B flu that may also circulate this year, Pekosz said.<\/p>\n

There are shots for all ages, as well as the nasal spray FluMist for ages 2 to 49. For the first time this year, some people may be eligible to vaccinate themselves with FluMist at home.<\/p>\n

Vaccines are offered in many doctor\u2019s offices, clinics and pharmacies. To find free or low-cost flu vaccines, with or without insurance<\/a>, call 2-1-1 or visit the state\u2019s health resource database<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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