Flu Activity Rises Early In US, UK And Japan: Why Experts Urge Vaccination Before Winter

Flu activity is rising unusually early in parts of the US, UK and Japan, while COVID-19 cases are also increasing in the UK. Health experts are urging eligible people to get vaccinated ahead of winter, when respiratory infections can add to pressure on hospitals.According to Nature, flu tests are returning positive at unusually high rates for early fall on the US West Coast and in the UK. In Japan, outbreaks in August and early September forced some schools to close as students returned from summer break.“It would be an incredibly early season” for the US if cases on the West Coast continue rising at their current pace, Scott Hensley, a virologist at the University of Pennsylvania, told Nature. US flu activity typically peaks in December and January.H1N1 Dominates Flu Cases In The USAlso read: ‘American Covid’ Strain Drives 50% Surge in UK Hospital Admissions: XFG Symptoms to Know H1N1 accounted for 96% of US flu cases tested for type in the week ending September 26. H3N2 accounted for nearly all the remaining cases, while no influenza B was detected, Nature reported, citing federal data.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the 2025–2026 US flu season as moderately severe, with more than 32 million cases, 390,000 hospitalizations and up to 81,000 deaths. Cases rose in November and peaked in December.This season, flu activity began rising in August and September in western states, including California, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.“We’re looking at an early flu season this year,” James Watt, deputy director of infectious diseases at the California Department of Public Health, said at an October 6 briefing, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.Danielle Zerr, an infectious diseases specialist at Seattle Children’s, told The Washington Post that the early spread was concerning because many people had yet to be vaccinated.“The way flu is circulating now, you wanted that vaccine in you two weeks ago, if not even a little before that,” she said.UK Reports Flu And COVID-19Read More: XFG COVID Variant: What India Should Watch As Cases Rise In UK And FranceIn the UK, around 6.5% of flu tests were positive in the week reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), up from 5% the previous week. This compares with 3.3% at the same point last year.The early rise has raised concerns that flu could add to pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), which has already experienced a busy summer. University students returning to campuses may also be contributing to the spread.COVID-19 activity has increased as well. Reported infections rose from 1,374 in August to 4,589 in September, the highest monthly total since October last year, according to figures cited in reports. However, officials said levels of both infections remained within the expected range.Frankie Swords, national medical director at NHS England, warned of early signs of winter pressure on hospitals. Around two in every 100,000 people in England were being hospitalized with flu, while overall hospital capacity was approximately 95% occupied in September.Swords urged eligible people to get vaccinated early, warning that pressure could increase as temperatures fall.Since the start of September, around 3.9 million people in the UK had received a flu vaccine, while approximately 730,000 had received an autumn COVID-19 vaccine.France is also reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases as the government prepares to launch its autumn COVID and flu vaccination campaign on October 13.Flu Symptoms You Should KnowFlu often begins suddenly, causing fever, chills, body aches and extreme fatigue.Common symptoms include:Fever and chillsBody achesExtreme fatigueHeadacheSore throatRunny or stuffy noseCoughChildren may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. Flu symptoms can overlap with those of other respiratory infections, so testing may be needed to confirm the cause.Do Flu Vaccines Protect Against All Circulating Strains?Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against selected influenza strains, including H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B viruses.However, influenza viruses can undergo genetic changes known as antigenic drift, which may reduce vaccine effectiveness against circulating strains.Flu and COVID-19 vaccines target different viruses. A flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, so eligible people may need separate vaccinations to reduce their risk of severe illness from both infections.

Flu Activity Rises Early In US, UK And Japan: Why Experts Urge Vaccination Before Winter

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