Mexico Health Secretary: H3N2 No Risk, Vaccination Key

Mexico City — Federal Health Secretary David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz has called on the population to reinforce vaccination against influenza due to its high contagion capacity, although he ruled out that the new A H3N2 K subclade variant poses a risk for Mexico, where only one case has been confirmed so far.

During the morning conference at the National Palace, the official explained that this variant, known in the media as “super flu” and currently circulating in Europe and the United States, is no different from the strains already included in the vaccine administered in the country, so vaccinated people have sufficient protection.

Kershenobich detailed that the main characteristic of this variant is its greater ease of transmission; however, he emphasized that it responds adequately to the usual treatment against influenza, including the antiviral oseltamivir, whose supply is guaranteed in the public health system.

“It does not represent any problem for the country at this time, it is just a matter of staying alert with epidemiological surveillance,” he stated.

The head of Health highlighted that Mexico has enough doses of the influenza vaccine to serve the at-risk population and recalled that immunization not only reduces contagion but prevents severe cases and hospitalizations during the winter season.

In that context, he emphasized that the vaccine used in the country, called Mexinvac, is completely produced in Mexico and has been administered since 2024, which strengthens the national response capacity to disease outbreaks.

He added that the number of cases recorded so far is similar to last year, when influenza remained under control thanks to vaccination.

The secretary specified that girls and boys between six months and five years old, people over 60 years old, as well as those suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, obesity, asthma, or any condition that weakens the immune system should be vaccinated.

Currently, vaccination coverage is around 50 percent, so he insisted that prevention is the best health strategy and invited the population to go to vaccination centers.

“We have a vaccine, we have treatment, and therefore, we think influenza will not be a problem this time,” he concluded.