Has This Been a Mild Flu Season?
Why do some people think that we just had a mild flu season?
The usual suspects…
Has This Been a Mild Flu Season?
As we are still seeing reports of kids dying with flu in April, I can tell you that this year’s flu season is far from mild!
Sure, it hasn’t been as bad as we have seen recently, but that doesn’t make it mild…
Instead, this year’s flu season is more a reminder of what an average or typical flu season can be like.
So, what’s a mild flu season like?
Well, the last really mild flu season we had been the 2011-12 flu season, when there were only 37 pediatric flu deaths. Our flu vaccine was 47% effective that year too!
“In comparison to other seasons, the 2011-2012 season set a new record for the lowest and shortest peak of influenza-like illness. The season began late and was mild compared to most previous seasons for which surveillance data is available.”
2011-2012 Flu Season Summary Report
Since then, flu seasons have all been average to above average.
Well, except for the flu seasons right after the start of the COVID pandemic which were influenced by little travel, lockdowns, and everyone wearing masks.
And this season?
The preliminary in-season flu severity assessment by the CDC is that the 2025-26 flu season has been of moderate severity.
“Receipt of a 2025–26 influenza vaccine reduced the risk for influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations.”
Interim Estimates of 2025–26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States, September 2025–February 2026
And our flu vaccines this season were about 30 to 40% effective at preventing hospitalization with the flu!
Unfortunately, fewer people got a flu vaccine this year, which may have contributed to the severity of this year’s flu season…