The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the U.S. flu season is winding down, with a continued decline in doctor's office and hospital visits for flu symptoms through last week. The number of states reporting high flu activity dropped to 16, many in a belt stretching from Colorado to Virginia, though six states—Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, Missouri, and Ohio—are still reporting high levels. CDC scientists estimate there have been at least 27 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths from flu so far this season, with totals now at least 31 million illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations, and 23,000 deaths, markedly below the same week in April 2025.
This season's flu vaccines were around 25% to 30% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough to require medical care, one of the lowest flu vaccine effectiveness rates in the last two decades, according to the CDC. Vaccinated children were about 40% less likely to get treatment at a doctor's office or hospital, with this year's vaccine between 38-41% effective against related outpatient doctor visits for children and 41% effective against influenza-associated hospitalization. A new flu strain (A H3N2 subclade K) dominated early winter and was not well matched to the vaccine, leading to an intense early onslaught of flu.
At least 101 children have died so far this season, with about 85% of those whose vaccination status is known not fully vaccinated against flu, and a dozen more child flu deaths were reported during the first week of April, bringing the total this season to 139. The number of child deaths during the previous flu season is still ticking up and now stands at 296. An estimated 48% of U.S. kids were vaccinated against flu around the end of last month, similar to last year but down from 52% at this point in 2024, with the child flu vaccine coverage rate the lowest it had been for 15 seasons last season, with just over half of children under 17 covered. Influenza B now makes up the majority of positive tests and poses greater risks for children, including severe symptoms and complications.
Adult flu vaccination rates are up slightly this season to 46.5%, according to the CDC. More than 135 million doses of flu vaccine had been distributed for both kids and adults by last month, nearly 12 million fewer doses than last season.