> At a Glance
> – Guadalupe Medical Center sees 140 patients daily as flu surges
> – H3N2 strain mismatch drives severe cases across Texas
> – Trump drops universal flu shot for children amid outbreak
> – Why it matters: Even a mismatched vaccine remains the best defense against serious illness
Dallas doctors are calling it the worst flu season in two decades, with one clinic testing nearly 50% of children positive and hospitals statewide reporting very high activity.
Surge on the Frontlines
Dr. Marcial Oquendo says Guadalupe Medical Center now logs about 140 patients a day, many arriving in family clusters.
> “Pretty much every other child that comes in is positive for flu, and we’re seeing that they, the siblings, the parents … sometimes we only test one and assume the rest have it.”
New CDC numbers show national flu cases jumped more than 7% in a single week, placing Texas among two dozen states with intense transmission.
Vaccine Mismatch but Still Vital
Children’s Health pediatric infectious-disease specialist Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno explains the culprit:
> “The majority of cases are the influenza H3N2, which this year has been seen that is not a good match with the vaccine because there was a virus change or a virus drift.”
Despite the mismatch, she stresses:
- This season is the worst in 20 years for her hospital system
- Week-to-week tallies have slipped slightly, but the peak may not yet be reached
- The shot still provides the strongest shield against severe disease
Policy Shift Amid Crisis
The Trump Administration just revised childhood vaccine guidance, removing the universal flu shot recommendation for children along with RSV and COVID-19 shots.
Dr. Oquendo continues to recommend flu vaccination at his Dallas clinic, noting growing hesitancy:
> “There’s this feeling amongst pediatricians that we know there’s a lot more questions, there’s a lot more distrust of the vaccines in general.”
Key Takeaways
- Texas leads the nation in very high flu activity
- H3N2 drift reduces but does not eliminate vaccine benefit
- Doctors report more severe cases requiring medical care
- Pediatricians spend extra time counseling parents on vaccine pros and cons
With flu season far from over, Dallas health teams urge quick clinic visits for anyone showing symptoms and stress that vaccination-even now-can still prevent hospitalization.
