CDC Reports Highest Flu Hospitalization Rate in Over a Decade

The 2024–25 influenza season was the most severe in over a decade, with the highest recorded flu hospitalization rate in the U.S., according to CDC’s Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network. Preliminary data show that 89% of hospitalized patients had underlying conditions, 17% required ICU admission, and 3% died—figures consistent with past seasons.

Vaccination and timely antiviral treatment remain critical: only 32.4% of hospitalized patients had received a flu vaccine, while 84.8% received antivirals, though uptake was lowest among ages 5–17. CDC urges annual vaccination for everyone six months and older and prompt antiviral use to reduce complications. Read more from the CDC here.