Flu in the U.S. 2025
Influenza remains a major recurring health threat in the United States, leading to millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths every year. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, flu continues to strain the healthcare system—especially during severe seasons when hospitalization rates spike and vulnerable populations are hit hardest. From 2023 to 2025, flu surveillance data has shown dramatic seasonal variations, with the most recent 2024–2025 season already setting new records for hospitalizations and pediatric deaths. These patterns reflect the unpredictable and highly dynamic nature of flu transmission and disease burden.
Vaccination remains the most effective preventive strategy, yet immunization rates vary sharply by age, leaving specific demographic groups under protected. For example, seniors maintain the highest coverage (over 71%), while vaccination among younger adults lags behind at just 35.6%. This gap—alongside data showing that 90% of pediatric flu deaths occur in unvaccinated children—underscores the urgent need to boost preventive efforts across all age groups. As the country braces for the rest of the 2024–2025 flu season, comprehensive data from previous years offers critical insights into ongoing vulnerabilities, regional differences, and public health priorities moving forward.
Flu Statistics in the U.S
Flu Facts in the United States – 2025
| Fact Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Disparity | Adults aged 65 and older have vaccination rates twice as high as young adults (71.3% vs 35.6%), showing a significant preventive care gap. |
| Seasonal Impact | The 2023–2024 flu season resulted in an estimated 40 million flu-related illnesses, marking it a moderate to high burden season. |
| Pediatric Vulnerability | Among children who died from flu, 90% were not fully vaccinated, emphasizing the vital importance of childhood immunization. |
| Healthcare System Strain | During peak flu seasons, hospitalization rates can exceed 80 per 100,000 population, placing extreme pressure on the U.S. healthcare system. |
| Flu Classification | While flu and pneumonia combined rank as the 12th leading cause of death, flu alone contributes a much smaller share, indicating complexity. |
The 2023–2024 flu season revealed several critical insights into America’s ongoing battle with influenza. One of the most alarming findings was the vaccination gap, where adults aged 65+ had a 71.3% vaccination rate, nearly double the rate among young adults (35.6%). This gap highlights a clear disparity in preventive efforts across generations. Similarly, the overall flu burden reached 40 million illnesses, a level that categorizes the season as moderate to high in severity, with widespread healthcare implications and elevated risks for complications.
Pediatric data presents a stark warning: 90% of children who died from flu were not fully vaccinated, despite being eligible demonstrating a major preventable loss of life through missed immunization. The impact on hospitals was equally profound, as hospitalization rates exceeded 80 per 100,000 in some regions, indicating acute strain on healthcare infrastructure. While flu and pneumonia combined rank as the 12th leading cause of death, flu alone contributes to a smaller proportion, highlighting the interconnected nature of respiratory infections and the need for precise classification in mortality statistics.
Flu Season Burden in the U.S (2023–2024)
| Metric | 2023–2024 Season Estimate |
|---|---|
| Total Flu Illnesses | 40,000,000 |
| Medical Visits | 18,000,000 |
| Hospitalizations | 470,000 |
| Deaths | 28,000 |
| Peak Activity Period | December 2023 – January 2024 |
The 2023–2024 flu season in the U.S. was marked by a high disease burden, with an estimated 40 million flu-related illnesses nationwide. Of these, about 18 million Americans sought medical attention due to flu symptoms. The season resulted in 470,000 hospitalizations, reflecting a serious impact on the healthcare system.
There were approximately 28,000 flu-related deaths reported during this season, with the peak flu activity occurring between December 2023 and January 2024. Compared to previous seasons, this one ranked as moderate to high in severity, with significantly elevated rates of illness, hospitalization, and death.
Flu Vaccination Coverage by Age Group in the U.S. (2023)
| Age Group | Vaccination Rate | Population Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months – 17 years | 47.7% | Children/Adolescents |
| 18–34 years | 35.6% | Young Adults |
| 35–49 years | 39.5% | Middle-aged Adults |
| 50–64 years | 49.6% | Pre-retirement Adults |
| 65+ years | 71.3% | Senior Adults |
| Overall Adults (18+) | 48.0% | Total Adult Population |
Flu vaccination rates in the U.S. during 2023 showed major disparities across age groups. Children aged 6 months to 17 years had a vaccination rate of 47.7%, while young adults (18–34 years) recorded the lowest rate at just 35.6%. Middle-aged adults (35–49 years) were slightly better at 39.5%, and pre-retirement adults (50–64 years) reached 49.6%.
Seniors aged 65 and above had the highest vaccination coverage at 71.3%, showing better adherence to CDC recommendations. Overall, the vaccination rate among all adults aged 18 and older was 48.0%, reflecting room for improvement in flu prevention across the total adult population.
Flu Deaths in the U.S. (2023)
| Category | Deaths | Rate per 100,000 | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flu and Pneumonia Combined | 45,185 | 13.5 | 12th leading cause |
| Flu Only | 3,975 | 1.2 | – |
| Estimated Flu Deaths (2023–24) | 28,000 | ~8.4 | Seasonal estimate |
In 2023, flu and pneumonia combined accounted for 45,185 deaths in the U.S., making it the 12th leading cause of death, with a mortality rate of 13.5 per 100,000 population. While these numbers reflect the broader category, flu alone was responsible for 3,975 deaths, translating to a lower 1.2 per 100,000 rate.
The 2023–2024 flu season added an estimated 28,000 additional deaths, with a calculated seasonal mortality rate of approximately 8.4 per 100,000. These numbers highlight flu’s continued impact on national mortality—especially when paired with pneumonia and respiratory complications.
Regional Flu Hospitalization Patterns in the U.S. (2023–2024)
| Region | Peak Period | Cumulative Rate (per 100,000) | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England (Region 1) | Week ending Jan 6, 2024 | 70+ | Bimodal distribution |
| Mid-Atlantic (Region 3) | Late December 2023 | 70+ | Bimodal distribution |
| Midwest (Region 5) | Late December 2023 | 70+ | Bimodal distribution |
| South Central (Region 6) | Week ending Jan 6, 2024 | 82.7 | Bimodal distribution |
| Central (Region 7) | Week ending Mar 2, 2024 | 70+ | Single peak |
| Range Across All Regions | Dec 2023 – Mar 2024 | 39.7 – 82.7 | Variable patterns |
The 2023–2024 flu season showed varying hospitalization rates across different U.S. regions. New England (Region 1) experienced peak flu hospitalizations in the week ending January 6, 2024, with a cumulative rate above 70 per 100,000 and a bimodal pattern. The Mid-Atlantic (Region 3) and Midwest (Region 5) regions also recorded 70+ per 100,000 hospitalizations in late December 2023, with similar bimodal waves.
The South Central region (Region 6) had the highest recorded hospitalization rate at 82.7 per 100,000, also peaking in early January. Meanwhile, the Central region (Region 7) peaked later—in March 2024—with a single peak and 70+ hospitalization rate. Across all regions, hospitalization rates ranged from 39.7 to 82.7 per 100,000, illustrating geographic variability and season timing differences.
Historical Flu Burden in the U.S.: Seasonal Comparison (2021–2024)
| Flu Season | Illnesses (millions) | Hospitalizations | Deaths | Severity Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2022 | 9.0 | 100,000 | 5,000 | Low |
| 2022–2023 | 31.0 | 360,000 | 21,000 | Moderate |
| 2023–2024 | 40.0 | 470,000 | 28,000 | Moderate–High |
The 2021–2022 flu season in the U.S. had a relatively mild impact, with 9.0 million illnesses, 100,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths, classifying it as a low-severity year. This low burden may have been due in part to lingering COVID-era public health practices such as masking and social distancing.
In contrast, the 2022–2023 season saw a significant surge in activity, with 31.0 million flu cases, 360,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths, qualifying it as a moderate season. The following year, 2023–2024, brought 40.0 million cases, 470,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths, marking it as a moderate-to-high severity flu season, with an escalating burden across all key metrics.
2024–2025 Flu Season Update in the U.S. (Preliminary Estimates)
| Current Season Metric | Preliminary Estimate | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Illnesses (through May 2025) | 47+ million | Highest since 2010–2011 |
| Estimated Hospitalizations | 610,000+ | Record-high cumulative rate |
| Pediatric Deaths | 231 | 90% unvaccinated among eligible |
| Peak Hospitalization Rate | Highest since 2010–11 | Exceptional season severity |
Preliminary data for the 2024–2025 flu season in the U.S. shows a record-setting trend, with over 47 million illnesses reported through May 2025, making it the highest flu burden recorded since the 2010–2011 season. Correspondingly, hospitalizations reached over 610,000, the highest cumulative rate on record for a single flu season.
There were 231 pediatric deaths reported, with an alarming 90% occurring in children who were eligible but not vaccinated, underscoring a critical immunization gap. The peak hospitalization rate this season was the highest since 2010–11, confirming the exceptional severity and placing immense strain on the U.S. healthcare system.
Key Public Health Implications in the U.S.
- Vaccination Gaps: With adult vaccination rates at 48%, improvement is needed—especially among young adults.
- Seasonal Variability: From 9 million to 47+ million illnesses in just 3 years shows the flu’s unpredictability.
- Age-Related Risk: Seniors are far more likely to be vaccinated than younger adults.
- Healthcare Impact: Up to 610,000 hospitalizations highlight the strain on hospitals.
- Prevention Effectiveness: 90% of pediatric deaths were in unvaccinated children.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
