CDC

2024–25 influenza season saw record hospitalization rates

September 15, 2025

The 2024-2025 U.S. influenza season was classified as high severity, with the highest cumulative hospitalization rate (127.1 per 100,000) recorded since 2010-2011. Data from FluSurv-NET, covering 9% of the U.S. population, showed rates were highest among adults aged ≥75 years (598.8) and exceeded historical medians by 1.8 to 2.8 times across all age groups. Most hospitalized patients (89.1%) had underlying conditions; 16.8% were admitted to the ICU, 6.1% required mechanical ventilation, and 3.0% died. Among hospitalized patients, 32.4% had received an influenza vaccine, and 84.8% received antiviral treatment, though children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years had the lowest proportion of antiviral receipt (61.6%).

The findings highlight persistent gaps in influenza prevention and treatment, especially among high-risk groups. CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months and timely antiviral treatment for hospitalized patients to reduce the risk of complications during severe seasons.

Source:

O’Halloran A, et al. (2025, September 11). CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During a High Severity Season — Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7434a1.htm