2025 (season) – The 2024‑25 flu season records 289 pediatric deaths, the highest since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic fifteen years earlier, highlighting the vulnerability of children to severe influenza [7][24].

Dec 13, 2025 – The United States experiences a flu surge driven by the new H3N2 subclade K; the CDC reports the season’s first pediatric death and notes a vaccine‑strain mismatch, with Dr. Tim Uyeki urging “Get vaccinated as activity rises.” [7].

Dec 20, 2025 – Flu, norovirus and COVID‑19 cases climb ahead of the busiest holiday travel week on record; the CDC says subclade K accounts for about 89 % of H3N2 infections, prompting officials to stress vaccination and hand‑washing. [11].

Dec 26, 2025 – New York City logs a decade‑high surge in “super flu” symptoms, with nearly 10,000 emergency‑department visits for influenza‑like illness in the week ending Dec 20. [10].

Dec 27, 2025 – CDC data show five states (Colorado, Louisiana, South Carolina, New York, New Jersey) at “very high” activity and report eight pediatric deaths, raising alarm over the strain’s severity. [9].

Dec 30, 2025 – After a record week ending Jan 3, the CDC notes flu hospitalizations at ≈40,000 (~12 per 100,000) and warns the season has not yet peaked; vaccination coverage remains below 40 % of the population. [3].

Dec 30, 2025 – Flu activity rises rapidly as subclade K spreads; a UK analysis finds the current vaccine offers partial protection, while CDC estimates 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths through Dec 20. [15].

Dec 31, 2025 – Ohio reports its first pediatric flu death of the season; Director Bruce Vanderhoff calls the loss “tragic” and urges parents to protect their children. [19].

Jan 5, 2026 – Flu activity reaches a 25‑year high nationwide as subclade K dominates; Dr. Caitlin Rivers describes it as “the worst in at least 20 years,” and the CDC ends universal flu‑shot recommendations for children, a policy shift announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who posts “That practice ends now.” [5][14][26].

Jan 5, 2026 – CDC data for the Christmas week show 45 states with high or very high activity and ≈11 million illnesses; HHS’s decision to drop universal child vaccination draws sharp criticism from public‑health experts. [14].

Jan 6, 2026 – CDC flags nearly 20 states at the highest influenza‑activity tier (Level 13); experts label the surge a “super flu” and link it to subclade K, low vaccination rates and indoor crowding during the holidays. [8].

Jan 7, 2026 – U.S. flu activity hits the highest level in more than 25 years, measured by doctor visits for fever, cough or sore throat; CNN invites the public to share personal illness stories. [4].

Jan 8, 2026 – Ohio reports higher‑than‑normal flu activity, logging 1,911 hospitalizations in one week and confirming the state’s first pediatric flu death, a teenager from Greene County. [18].

Jan 9, 2026 – CDC warns that despite a modest dip in some indicators, the season’s peak remains uncertain; hospitalizations rise ≈10 % week‑over‑week and pediatric deaths total at least 17. [3].

Jan 9, 2026 – Flu infections edge down slightly, but H3N2 subclade K accounts for >91 % of analyzed strains; the CDC stops recommending routine flu shots for children, shifting the decision to parents and clinicians. [13].

Jan 12, 2026 – CDC reports >15 million flu cases, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths, with subclade K driving the surge; Dr. Parissa Rabbinafard stresses “Vaccination is recommended while flu viruses circulate.” [16][17].

Jan 12, 2026 – An arctic‑air blast pushes the eastern U.S. indoors, increasing indoor transmission risk; CDC confirms high activity in 44 states and ≈40,000 hospital admissions for the week ending Jan 3. [17][25].

Jan 15, 2026 – Emergency‑department visits in western Washington climb from 300 to >560 weekly; H3N2 subclade K fuels the surge and the CDC confirms nine pediatric deaths nationwide. [24].

Jan 16, 2026 – Four‑year‑old Ellie Rudd dies on Jan 6 after flu complications; her mother Sarah Rudd urges other parents “to get flu shots for extra peace of mind,” while CDC data show 32 child deaths this season, ≈90 % of whom were unvaccinated. [2][12].

Jan 22, 2026 – Thurston County reports a flu‑related death; Washington’s total rises to 39 lab‑confirmed deaths ( 59 statewide), with influenza A dominant. [23].

Jan 27, 2026 – Kittitas County confirms a flu death; officials note the statewide toll of 59 deaths, 44 of them 65 or older, and stress vaccination and home isolation. [22].

Jan 29, 2026 – Washington records its first pediatric flu death this season—a teenager—while health officials describe the season as “more severe than a year ago.” [21].

Feb 5, 2026 – A child in Kitsap County dies from flu; Health Officer Dr. Herbie Duber calls the loss “a profound tragedy” and urges at‑risk individuals to get vaccinated. [20].

Feb 20, 2026 – CDC Flu Tracking shows record doctor visits for flu‑like symptoms, the highest level since national surveillance began in 1997; the agency estimates 8 % of Americans contract flu each season. [1]