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\nThe new flu variant Super-k spread across the US and Europe last year, and has already arrived in Australia
\nPhoto: CDC\n<\/p>\n
The health system is preparing for a potentially difficult winter flu season, as the H3N2 Subclade K (Super-k) influenza virus heads for New Zealand’s shores.<\/p>\n
The variant spread across the US and Europe last year, has already arrived in Australia, and is spreading faster than typical seasonal influenza, according to its national science agency CSIRO.<\/p>\n
Professor at Otago University and head of the department of Paediatrics and Child Health Peter McIntyre told Nine to Noon Super-k did not seem to be any more severe than historic flu strains, but it was less well-matched to the vaccine.<\/p>\n
The virus had actually already arrived in the country towards the tail-end of the 2025 flu season, McIntyre said.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, those who were considering how to formulate this years’ flu vaccine had included a similar strain, which would make it much more effective than the protections the northern hemisphere had, he added.<\/p>\n
The cycle of respiratory viruses like the flu was becoming less predictable post-covid-19.<\/p>\n
“The way that flu strains work during the year has changed a bit from the predictable winter peak with not much going on in the rest of the year, to a lot more unpredictability.”<\/p>\n
Although the vaccine provided limited protection against super-k, those most at risk should get vaccinated as early as possible, he said.<\/p>\n
“For those at higher risk of complications from the flu, which is anyone over the age of 65, and particularly those over the age of 75 or 80 … it’s a very good idea to get in right now with your flu vaccine, because the season may be with us sooner than we think.”<\/p>\n
Another option, the Fluad vaccine, was more effective, but it was currently not funded in New Zealand, McIntyre said.<\/p>\n
“There are good arguments in favour of it, and the immunisation advisory centre has been lobbying for this for a while.<\/p>\n
“Particularly for our most frail elderly – so people in residential aged care who are most at risk of sever flu, I think there’s a very good case for funding it, but at this stage it hasn’t got high enough on the Pharmac wish list.”<\/p>\n