Flu Shot Uptake Trends Lower in 2024

The Weekly Influenza Vaccination Dashboard uses various data sources to share preliminary weekly flu vaccination data, including coverage estimates.

According to recent data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza vaccination rates have been trending lower over the past three flu seasons.

As of January 20, 2024, the CDC's data indicates about 156 million influenza vaccines have been distributed during the 2023-2024 season. However, this data may change as the flu season progresses.

During the 2021-2022 season, 176 million vaccines were distributed in the U.S.

From a demographic perspective, the CDC reports the flu shot coverage estimates for the 2023-24 season are as follows:

Coverage for all children is 3.5% lower this season than last season (47.8% compared with 51.3%). Coverage this season so far is 9.6 percentage points lower compared with pre-pandemic coverage at the same time in January 2020 (57.4%).

For pregnant women, coverage at the end of December 2023 (35.7%) is 3.3% lower compared with coverage at the end of December 2022 (39%).

National coverage for all U.S. adults is 47%. For adults 65 years and older, an estimated 43.4% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries have been vaccinated this season.

And flu shot coverage among states and D.C. ranges from 36.8% to 62.3%.

Last week, the CDC stated seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally, with increases in some parts of the country. And it recommends that everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are spreading.