This Flu Season Trends Aren't Traditional

The U.S. Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) recently reported as of February 18, 2023, this flu season's weekly hospitalization rate was abnormal.

This week's cumulative hospitalization rate is the second-highest rate observed in week #7 during previous seasons, going back to 2010-2011, followed by the 2017-2018 season.

However, this in-season cumulative hospitalization rate is still lower than end-of-season hospitalization rates for five flu seasons going back to 2010-2011.

When examining rates among 2,485 hospitalized adults with information on underlying medical conditions, 96.7% had at least one reported underlying medical condition.

The most commonly reported were hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder, and obesity. 

Among 1,019 hospitalized children with information on underlying medical conditions, 65.6% had at least one reported underlying medical condition.

The most commonly reported condition was asthma, followed by neurologic disease and obesity.

Additionally, the CDC confirmed there has been 115 influenza-associated pediatric fatalities (about 30% were vaccinated) during the 2022-2023 flu season.

And a recent CDC analysis published on February 22, 2023, and in a related MMWR on February 24, 2023, stated 2022-2023 influenza vaccine preliminary effectiveness was about 68% protective of pediatric patients.

And it protected about 43% of adults against influenza-related hospitalization. 

Updated flu season news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.