Flu burden remains high as CDC updates seasonal estimates
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in its FluView surveillance update for the week ending January 10, 2026 that influenza activity continues to impose a substantial national burden. Using in-season estimates, the CDC said there have been at least 18,000,000 flu illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths so far during the 2025–2026 flu season.
The agency also emphasized that multiple respiratory viruses can contribute to overall illness patterns during winter, and it continues to publish integrated information on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV activity. The goal, officials say, is to help clinicians and the public interpret seasonal waves in a way that supports timely testing, treatment, and prevention.
Pediatric risk signals stand out
One of the most concerning notes in the report involved pediatric deaths. Among children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and had known vaccine status, the CDC said 90% of reported pediatric deaths this season occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against flu. While vaccination is not a guarantee against infection, public health officials point to consistent evidence that it can reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
The CDC’s severity assessment framework classified the season as moderate overall, but the agency noted that pediatric severity was categorized as high at that point in the season. These classifications can shift over time as activity changes, and CDC updates them weekly as new surveillance data arrives.
Prevention and treatment guidance
The CDC reiterated that there is still time to get vaccinated against flu this season, noting that approximately 130 million doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed in the United States. The agency also reminded clinicians and patients that prescription antiviral medications can treat flu illness, and are most effective when started as early as possible—especially for those at higher risk of complications.
- Seek medical advice promptly if high-risk symptoms develop
- Ask about antivirals early if you may be eligible
- Use layered prevention (vaccination, hand hygiene, staying home when sick) to reduce spread
With winter conditions also straining hospitals in some regions, public health officials continue urging people to take respiratory symptoms seriously and to use available tools—vaccination where appropriate, early treatment, and common-sense exposure reduction—to limit severe outcomes.