Influenza Illnesses Trail Both COVID-19 and Pneumonia

The U.S. CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report issued on September 24, 2021, found 2.1% of patient visits reported were due to Influenza-like Illness (ILI) during week #37.

The percentage of patient visits for ILI remains below the national baseline of 2.6%.

Therefore, increases in ILI activity are likely due to increased circulation of other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, human metapneumovirus, respiratory adenoviruses, human coronavirus, rotavirus, and norovirus.

Moreover, influenza infections have created very few related deaths.

Based on mortality surveillance data available on September 23, 2021, 21.1% of the deaths that occurred during week #37 ending September 18, 2021, were due to pneumonia (3,704), influenza (1), and/or COVID-19 (4,517). 

Furthermore, only (1) influenza-associated pediatric death occurring during this flu season has been reported to the CDC.

The U.S. FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee published recommendations for the 2021-2022 flu season. Influenza vaccines are manufactured differently, and different preparations have specific indications as licensed by the U.S. FDA.

As of September 22, 2021, the Afluria Quadrivalent vaccine from Seqirus Pty. Ltd. has distributed the most lots (54) this year.

Afluria is an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by subtypes A and B.

Additional U.S. FDA Approved flu vaccines are listed on this webpage.