As the chill of late November settles in across the Northern Hemisphere, public health officials are sounding the alarm about a potentially severe flu season—one marked by low vaccination rates, the emergence of a new H3N2 strain, and a worrying rise in infections among children. From Wisconsin to Louisiana and across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom, experts are urging people to get vaccinated before the holidays, warning that the coming weeks could bring a spike in cases and, tragically, more preventable deaths.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, only about 23% of state residents have received their flu shots for the 2025-2026 season as of November 19, 2025. This low uptake has officials deeply concerned, especially with the holiday travel season about to kick into high gear. "A low vaccination rate could be bad news once people start traveling for the holidays," the department warned, as cited by local news outlets. The numbers are stark: last season, as many as 82 million Americans contracted the flu, and the illness was the cause or a contributing factor in at least 27,000 U.S. deaths. Despite these sobering statistics, fewer than half of all eligible Americans got a flu shot last year.
Louisiana faces a similar predicament, though for now, the state's flu levels remain relatively low. The Louisiana Department of Health notes that the state's flu season typically begins in October and stretches through May, peaking between December and March. But this year, experts are especially wary. A mutated strain of H3N2, which first appeared over the summer, is now spreading rapidly worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has flagged concerns that the current flu vaccine might be less effective against this new version of H3N2. "There's no doubt this winter will be one of the toughest our staff have ever faced," said James Mackey, head of the National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K., where an early outbreak is already putting pressure on hospitals.
What makes this season particularly worrisome is the pace and pattern of infections among children. In the U.K., the flu season has kicked off earlier than usual, and cases are rising fast—especially among school-aged kids. Data from the U.K. Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals that more than 20% of children aged 5 to 14 who took PCR tests were diagnosed with the flu as the virus spreads through schools. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent for Well Pharmacy, issued an urgent plea: "It is crucial that your child is vaccinated against the flu to protect from the worst symptoms over the winter." He emphasized that children are at particular risk, noting, "In severe cases this can lead to cases of pneumonia and hospitalisation."
Sandhu's warning comes amid what medics describe as "an unusually early start" to the flu season, with the NHS bracing for one of its toughest winters on record. The numbers back up his concerns. Uptake of the flu jab is currently lower than last year, with around 14.4 million patients vaccinated—about four million short of the NHS target from the previous season. NHS data shows just over a third of two- and three-year-olds have received the vaccine so far, leaving many young children vulnerable. Last year's flu vaccine, however, was credited with preventing more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the U.K.—a testament to its effectiveness, even in challenging seasons.
Children between the ages of two and sixteen in the U.K. are eligible for a free nasal spray flu vaccine, while those aged six months to two years in high-risk groups receive a traditional flu jab. The flu vaccine is also free for over-65s, those under 65 in clinical risk groups, care home residents, carers, pregnant women, close contacts of immunosuppressed individuals, and frontline health and social care workers. Sandhu stressed, "Flu vaccines are quick and painless, especially the nose spray which is given to children, just a few moments of your time ensures maximum protection for your child from flu this winter."
Dr. Helen Steward, RCPCH officer for health improvement, echoed these concerns, telling PA Media that this winter was looking "particularly bad" for flu. She added a sobering reminder: "Children do die every year from flu, so it is definitely not just a bad cold." The stakes are high—not just for children, but for their families and communities. As Sandhu explained, vaccinating children helps protect elderly relatives as well, reducing the risk of severe symptoms spreading through families during the busy winter and Christmas season.
Looking at the broader picture, the emergence of the new H3N2 strain has complicated the public health response. While the CDC's latest data shows that flu levels in Louisiana remain low for now, the rapid global spread of H3N2 has experts on edge. There are legitimate fears that the current flu vaccine may be less effective against this particular strain, though health officials maintain that vaccination remains the best defense available. After all, flu vaccines take about two weeks to become fully effective—a crucial window as families prepare to gather for the holidays.
In the U.K., the consequences of low vaccination rates and a fast-moving virus are already becoming clear. NHS data shows that rising flu numbers have prompted urgent calls for all those eligible to book their flu vaccine. Sandhu was blunt in his assessment: "Flu data already suggest that this is going to be one of the worst flu seasons on record. Infection rates are already significantly higher than you might expect for this time of year and a slightly different strain of the flu may be the cause of this. This means that as infection rates are driven up, so is the risk of hospitalisation for more children who are not vaccinated."
The numbers from last year are a stark reminder of what's at stake. More than 7,000 people died of flu in the U.K. alone, according to government data. And yet, despite the clear risks, vaccine uptake remains stubbornly low in many places. In Wisconsin, for example, officials are bracing for a potential surge in cases, warning that the combination of low vaccination rates and increased holiday travel could prove a dangerous mix.
For public health officials, the message is clear: get vaccinated, and get your children vaccinated too. It may only take a few minutes, but those moments could mean the difference between a mild illness and a life-threatening one—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. As the world faces down a potentially severe flu season, the call to action has never felt more urgent.
