He H3N2 influenza K subclass The vaccine against the influenza virus this year took the opposite approach: the World Health Organization (WHO) had already determined which strains the drug should contain for the northern winter. Although experts assure that active immunization works in the same way, especially against severe forms of the infection, expectations are growing the new vaccine and its availability to alleviate the health stress of the next flu wave in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the last few hours, the Ministry of Health of Peru – where the first cases of the superflu have already been discovered – became the first to publicly announce that the first batch of a new vaccine will be available in that country. the first days of February. However, It is not yet clear when the drug will eventually contain the mutated strain. Clarion asked the Argentine Ministry of Health about its plan: “In this sense, work is underway to shorten the time and.” start beforehand“said the sources consulted.
However, they clarified that the idea of launching for this deadline The vaccination campaign – at least a month earlier than usual – “depends on it.” Capacity and inventory from the laboratories, not just from the intentions.” In 2025, the flu vaccination campaign was launched as usual at the end of March, while vaccinations began to reach their recipients from April following the distribution of doses in the provinces.
Of the increased transmissibility of the K subclassIt is likely that in 2026 the spread of the influenza virus will advance below the equator, as is already the case in the Northern Hemisphere. For this reason, the authorities are trying to anticipate prevention, especially through vaccines intended for this purpose risk groups: Children under 2 years old, over 65, pregnant women, healthcare professionals and people with comorbidities.
The news came after the first three cases of subclass K of H3N2 flu were registered in the country: a five-year-old boy from Buenos Aires and two teenagers from Santa Cruz. Following these discoveries as a result of the sequencing of the samples carried out by the Malbrán Institute, Neuquén added this Saturday two new infections of people – a minor and an adult – who were hospitalized with pneumonia and were able to recover.
In recent days, more South American countries have been added to the list of those already represented this more contagious variantwhich, because it is new, partially violates the acquired immunity. Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia confirmed cases of the super flu, adding to cases already registered in Peru, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.
Added to the vaccine as mentioned Clarionthe possibility of using oseltamivir (better known as Tamiflu). The Ministry of Health warned in the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin that “antiviral treatment with oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is a…” therapeutic tool that complements vaccinationparticularly useful in patients with risk factors.”
It is not yet known when the new composition of the flu vaccine will be available, whose specificity against the K subclass will allow it to combat the potentially predominant virus. more effective. Flu vaccines for the 2025-26 season include: an H3N2 component based on reference viruses selected between February and March 2025, i.e. before the new superflu spread.
For this reason, a subclade K strain was not specifically used in this selection. Flu vaccines are reformulated once a year WHO recommendations. The next one is generally expected, as usual, for the Northern Hemisphere flu season (winter 2026-2027) in February 2026. “They’ll probably do it sooner this time,” he said Clarion a source from the National Vaccination Commission.
Infectologist Eduardo López, head of the medical department at the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, explained: “The vaccine available in Argentina is valid for 2025 in the southern hemisphere circulating loads this year in said hemisphere. “Tribes are not comparable between hemispheres.”
The expert added: “What has been shown is that although vaccines can lose their effectiveness due to mutations, maintain acceptable protection to avoid hospitalizations and serious illnesses.” Therefore, with a view to the next flu season, public health is beginning to recommend that high-risk people who have not received the vaccine in the last six months take it beyond the available version of the vaccine.
An article recently published in the journal JAMA claims that the superflu partially evades antibodies Thanks to the currently available vaccines, the drug continues to provide effective protection against severe disease and death. Furthermore, it suggests that the most effective strategy would be against the K subclass Expanding vaccination coverage to aim for a lower spread of the virus beyond risk groups.
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