U.S. schools are preparing for an increase in absences and sick children due to a new flu variant, H3N2 subclade K, which has caused spikes in hospitalizations in other countries.

The flu vaccine for the 2025-2026 season may be less effective against the new variant, but experts emphasize that some protection is better than none and can reduce severe flu outcomes.

Vaccine rates have been dropping at U.S. schools, with exemptions rising to 3.6 percent in the 2024-2025 school year.

No state currently requires the flu vaccine for school attendance.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5630020-flu-variant-subclade-k-school-outbreaks/