The increase in the number of flu cases in recent weeks is driven primarily by the influenza A virus H3N2, with many of the cases involving the newly discovered virus variant called the K variant, which could lead to increased spread of infection and poorer vaccine protection.
The ECDC writes on its website that analyses show a "significant deviation" between the K variant and the vaccine based on the (A)H3N2 virus, but that the vaccine "is still expected to provide protection against severe disease."
Acting state epidemiologist Erik Sturegård at the Swedish Public Health Agency tells SvD that the flu season in Sweden has not yet started.
We see a risk that this variant can more easily evade the immune system's protection, which means that it could be a tougher flu season than usual, Sturegård tells the newspaper.
