Overview

• Hamburg recorded 8,863 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in 2024/25, more than doubling the 4,010 infections from the previous season.
• Flu-related fatalities in the city climbed to 133 from 65, with roughly 90% of deaths occurring among residents over 60 years old.
• National health data showed over 1,950 influenza-associated deaths by mid-May as COVID-19 infections fell to less than half last season’s level.
• Persistently low influenza vaccination coverage exacerbated the season’s severity among high-risk groups.
• Emergency departments and general practitioners in Hamburg reported extended waiting times as they managed surges in patient demand.