Ukraine has officially entered the new flu, COVID-19, and other ARI epidemic season, which began on September 28, 2026, and will last until the end of May 2027. According to the Public Health Center (PHC), the current situation is stable: incidence rates at the beginning of October are significantly lower than last year, and the epidemic threshold has not been exceeded. However, experts urge citizens to remain vigilant, as the final dynamics of the season will depend on virus activity during the winter months.

Forecast and Current Statistics

Statistics from the first week of the season show that hospitalizations have halved compared to the same period in 2025. Nevertheless, the PHC reminds us that the start of the season is not an indicator of its overall scale. The peak of morbidity is traditionally expected in the winter period—from the end of this year to the beginning of spring. At the moment, no flu cases have been officially recorded in Ukraine, but monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 strain circulation continues.

Conflicting Data

There is a noticeable discrepancy between official expectations and logistical reality. While the PHC emphasizes the need for vaccination, supplies of seasonal vaccines are delayed without clearly defined timelines for their availability in pharmacy chains. At the same time, international sources report the development of innovative vaccines for the elderly and intranasal agents, but their availability for the average Ukrainian consumer in the current season remains questionable due to logistical and regulatory barriers.

Recommendations and Monitoring

The World Health Organization has already updated its recommendations for the composition of vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere, including current components against A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B (Victoria line) strains. The PHC continues genomic surveillance for new COVID-19 variants, such as XFG and PQ.16.1.1. Doctors emphasize that the key protection factor remains not only vaccination but also seeking timely help when the first symptoms appear, especially in children, who currently account for two-thirds of the total number of patients.

Experts strongly advise against stocking up on medicine, as uncontrolled medication intake can lead to undesirable consequences. The current strategy for combating infections is based on evidence-based medicine and weekly tracking of epidemiological indicators for each region of the country.