Flu Cases are Surging and Rates Will Likely Get Worse, New CDC Data Shows

New CDC data show the U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast and severe start, with hospitalizations rising sharply and millions already infected. The surge is being driven largely by a new influenza A(H3N2) subclade with lower population immunity, allowing the virus to spread quickly across multiple regions.

While the current flu vaccine may not be a perfect match, early data suggest it still offers meaningful protection against severe illness. With adult vaccination rates remaining low, public health experts emphasize the need for clear, timely communication around vaccination, masking in high-risk settings, early treatment, and other layered prevention strategies as flu activity continues to intensify. Read more from NPR here.