Overview
- New CDC estimates put the season’s toll at least at 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, including nine pediatric fatalities.
- Outpatient visits for flu-like illness reached 8.2% in the week ending Dec. 27, the highest level recorded since tracking began in 1997.
- Hospitals reported about 33,301 influenza admissions in that week as 45 states reported high or very high activity levels.
- Influenza A(H3N2) dominates this season, with roughly 90% of characterized H3N2 samples belonging to the drifted subclade K that only partially matches the vaccine.
- Vaccination uptake is lagging at about 130 million doses distributed as officials urge shots, prompt antiviral treatment for high‑risk patients and local measures to relieve strained facilities.