Flu cases in N.J. are double what they were this time last year. A new variant may be to blame.
NJ.com••general
Key Points:
- New Jersey reported 12,211 flu cases for the week ending Dec. 27, more than double the number from the same period last season, with hospitalizations primarily among those 65 and older.
- A new strain of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K is circulating globally, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the 2025–2026 flu vaccine, contributing to the sharp rise in cases.
- Despite reduced vaccine effectiveness, the flu shot still lowers the risk of severe illness, reducing hospitalizations by nearly 50% according to CDC data from the Southern Hemisphere.
- Vulnerable groups at higher risk for severe flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and seniors; the
