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Flu season may be starting early; experts say get vaccinated now (opens in a new tab)

medicalxpress.com · 2026-10-07

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Claim 1 of 7Not checkedFlu season may be getting a head start this year, and experts say that's a good reason not to put off your flu shot.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedmay be getting a head start this year

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The source study was found, but this claim couldn't be checked against it.

Claim 2 of 7Not checkedFlu tests are coming back positive at unusually high rates for early fall on the U.S. West Coast and in the United Kingdom, and outbreaks in Japan in August and early September forced some schools to close.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedunusually high rates

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Claim 3 of 7Not checkedIf West Coast cases keep rising at their current pace, it would be an incredibly early season for the United States; in a typical year, U.S. flu season peaks in December and January.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedan incredibly early season

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Claim 4 of 7Not checkedMost of the early U.S. cases involve H1N1, which is a switch from last season when H3N2 took over; H1N1 accounted for 96% of U.S. cases tested for type during the week ending Sept. 26.View evidenceHide evidence

As stated96% of U.S. cases tested for type

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Claim 5 of 7Not checkedIt is too early to say how the season will play out, and the early numbers come from far fewer positive tests than doctors see at the height of flu season.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedfar fewer positive tests

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Claim 6 of 7Not checkedThis year's flu shot looks like a good fit for the H3N2 and influenza B viruses now circulating, but whether it matches H1N1 strains isn't clear yet; even an imperfect match can still offer real protection.View evidenceHide evidence

As stateda good fit

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Claim 7 of 7Not checkedThe CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October, with special importance for higher-risk groups including young children, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with certain chronic conditions.View evidenceHide evidence

As statedevery year

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Flu season could kick off ‘incredibly’ early — what scientists are watching

Nature · 2026

Source record (opens in a new tab)

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Papers considered

The selected paper, plus nearby candidates.

Crossref, PubMed, Europe PMC · 16 candidate papers

Candidate

Reviewer #2 (Public review): Timely vaccine strain selection and genomic surveillance improves evolutionary forecast accuracy of seasonal influenza A/H3N2

2025 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)
Candidate

Reviewer #1 (Public review): Timely vaccine strain selection and genomic surveillance improves evolutionary forecast accuracy of seasonal influenza A/H3N2

2025 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)

And 10 more candidates considered.