Archive · 19 Jan 2026
US Flu Season Update: High Hospitalizations Persist
The flu season in the US is still very active, but there are signs that it might be slowing down.
The CDC says that fewer people are getting sick and going to the hospital compared to the previous week.
However, the number of hospitalizations is still very high, especially for children and older adults.
The most common type of flu virus this season is Influenza A(H3N2).
The CDC is also concerned about the number of children who have died from the flu, most of whom were not fully vaccinated.
They are reminding everyone that it's not too late to get a flu shot and that antiviral treatments can help if started early.
Flu activity in the US is decreasing or stabilizing for the second consecutive week, but hospitalizations remain high.
Influenza A(H3N2) is the dominant virus this season, with limited viral diversity.
The weekly hospitalization rate fell to 5.6 per 100,000 population, but the cumulative rate is the second-highest at this point in the season.
Children and older adults are the most affected, with high hospitalization rates and significant pediatric impact.
The CDC reported 15 pediatric flu deaths this week, bringing the season total to 32, with 90% of the deaths occurring in unvaccinated children.
- Who
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare providers, children, older adults, non-Hispanic Black persons, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White populations
- What
- Update on the US flu season, including hospitalization rates, pediatric deaths, and vaccination efforts
- When
- Week ending January 10, 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To inform the public about the current state of the flu season and the importance of vaccination and early treatment
- Flu Activity Trend
- Decreasing or stabilizing for two consecutive weeks
- Positive Respiratory Specimens
- 18.6%
- Healthcare Visits for Respiratory Illness
- 5.3%
- Dominant Virus
- Influenza A(H3N2)
- Weekly Hospitalization Rate
- 5.6 per 100,000 population
- Cumulative Hospitalization Rate
- 50.4 per 100,000 population
- Total Hospital Admissions (Week 1)
- 27,428
- Pediatric Deaths (Week 1)
- 15
- Seasonal Pediatric Deaths Total
- 32
- Estimated Illnesses
- 18 million
- Estimated Hospitalizations
- 230,000
- Estimated Deaths
- 9,300
- Vaccine Doses Distributed
- 130 million