The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Monday that there have been at least 7.5 million flu cases this season. Overall, the public health agency said the current flu season is not severe.
Some media outlets have referred to this year’s virus as the “superflu.” This is not a scientific term and may be misleading. While the tally of cases is rising faster than at this time last year – when the CDC estimated 3.1 million cases – there is no indication that the virus is more severe.
This flu season saw just over 80,000 hospitalizations, and more than 3,000 people have died, the CDC reported in its latest update. Last year, about 37,000 patients were hospitalized, and 1,500 people died.
Ali Caldwell
Fewer than 1.1% of flu patients have been hospitalized this year, and 0.4% have died. Both rates are slightly lower than last year, when the hospitalization rate was about 1.2% and the mortality rate was about 0.5%.
Last week, five children died from the flu, bringing the 2025 season’s total to eight pediatric deaths. By the end of December 2024, the CDC had recorded nine pediatric deaths.
Is the flu vaccine effective?
A new subgroup of the flu virus – H3N2 subclade K – emerged this summer after U.S. health officials and vaccine makers finalized this year’s flu vaccine formula.
When new strains or subgroups emerge, vaccines may be less effective, or the virus may be sufficiently different from prior versions that it bypasses existing immunity from previous infections or vaccines. So far, there is no evidence that subclade K is doing this.
Researchers from the U.K. suggested that subclade K may spread more easily than previous versions; however, other scientists have refuted that it is more contagious than previous years.
The CDC has not yet commented on the effectiveness of this year’s flu vaccine in the U.S.; however, vaccination rates are on track to be lower this flu season than last, continuing a decline since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For a deep dive into subclade K and what to expect this flu season, read our Flu FAQ here.
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