By Harshit
ATLANTA, JANUARY 11, 2026 —
After the most intense week of flu activity ever recorded in the United States, hospitalizations and deaths from influenza continue to climb, according to new federal data, heightening concern as the country remains deep in the winter respiratory virus season.
About 40,000 people were hospitalized with flu during the week ending January 3, an increase of roughly 10% from the previous week, when 36,600 admissions were reported, data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Overall, the nation saw approximately 12 flu-related hospitalizations per 100,000 people last week.
While adults 65 and older remain the group most likely to be hospitalized, health officials say children are also being hit hard, with pediatric cases and deaths rising sharply.
Pediatric Deaths Nearly Double in One Week
At least 17 children have died from influenza so far this season, the CDC says. That figure nearly doubled in a single week, with eight new pediatric deaths reported.
Massachusetts accounts for four of those deaths, including two children in Boston under the age of 2, city officials confirmed.
“Flu cases are surging in Boston, and we are seeing an uptick in serious cases involving children, including the tragic deaths of two very young children,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston’s commissioner of public health.
Although flu is often mild, Ojikutu emphasized that it can become severe, especially for infants and toddlers. She urged parents to vaccinate children six months and older and to seek urgent medical care if symptoms worsen.
Warning signs of severe illness include difficulty breathing, reduced urination, persistent high fever, extreme lethargy, or difficulty waking a child.
A Severe Season by the Numbers
CDC estimates indicate the flu has already caused at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths nationwide this season.
Flu activity remains elevated across the country, with more than a dozen states reporting activity at the highest level tracked by the agency. Surveillance data published last week showed flu-like illness in the U.S. had reached its highest level since tracking began roughly 30 years ago.
Although some indicators declined slightly this week, CDC officials caution that this does not necessarily signal the peak of the season.
“The recent dip could be related to changes in health care–seeking behavior or reporting during the holidays,” the agency said, warning that additional surges could still occur in the weeks ahead.
A New Variant Driving the Surge
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses continue to dominate this season. Additional genetic testing suggests that a newer variant, known as subclade K, remains the primary driver of infections in the U.S.
The same variant was responsible for early and intense flu seasons in parts of the Southern Hemisphere earlier this year, offering a potential preview of the severity now unfolding in North America.
Vaccination Rates Lag as Policy Debate Grows
Despite the severity of the season, vaccination coverage remains relatively low. About 130 million flu vaccine doses have been distributed nationwide — enough to cover less than 40% of the U.S. population, according to CDC figures.
The issue has grown more complex after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently revised the childhood vaccine schedule. The update recommends that flu vaccination decisions be made through “shared clinical decision-making,” meaning families must consult with a health care provider rather than following a universal recommendation.
Several state health departments have declined to adopt the change, instead aligning with guidance from professional medical groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, which continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
Public health experts warn that mixed messaging could further suppress vaccination rates at a time when hospitals are already under strain.
Weeks of High Activity Still Ahead
CDC officials expect flu activity to remain elevated for several more weeks. Hospitals, particularly in urban centers and regions with high transmission, are preparing for sustained pressure on emergency departments and inpatient units.
Health authorities continue to stress that vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even when the season is already underway.
As the U.S. moves through January, officials say the trajectory of hospitalizations — especially among children and older adults — will determine how severe the remainder of the flu season becomes.