Overview
- Public-health surveillance shows influenza activity is starting sooner than usual, with the increase concentrated in Western states and hospitals in Colorado reporting more positive tests and admissions.
- Federal and state officials are urging people six months and older to get their annual flu shot now because it takes about two weeks to build protection and vaccination reduces severe illness.
- This season’s vaccines were updated to better match circulating strains, including an H3N2 subclade change, and the FDA approved an mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older that early reports suggest may offer stronger protection.
- Authorities caution that flu circulating at the same time as COVID-19 and RSV could amplify hospital demand and advise layered precautions plus early antiviral treatment, which works best within 48 hours of symptoms.
- Vaccine access varies locally but most insurance plans cover flu shots with little or no cost and many pharmacies, clinics and public-health sites offer free or low-cost doses for uninsured children and other eligible groups.