Flu Season Ends in the USA

The U.S. CDC published its last Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report for the 2021-2022 flu season on June 17, 2022. Due to late-season activity, FluSurv-NET surveillance was extended beyond the typical end date of April 30.

The first full report for the 2022-23 flu season will be published on October 14, 2022.

For Week #23, the CDC's report stated:

• Seasonal influenza activity is decreasing nationally.

• One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported this week. Therefore, a total of (29) influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring this season have been reported.

• The majority of influenza viruses detected are A(H3N2). H3N2 viruses identified this season are genetically closely related to the vaccine virus. Antigenic data show that most of the H3N2 viruses characterized are antigenically different from the vaccine reference viruses. While the number of B/Victoria viruses circulating this season is small, most of the B/Victoria viruses characterized are antigenically similar to the vaccine reference virus.

• The percentage of outpatient visits due to respiratory illness has decreased compared to last week and has trended downward over the past four weeks. Influenza contributes to respiratory illness levels, but other respiratory viruses are also circulating. Therefore, the relative contribution of influenza varies by location.

• The number of hospital admissions with laboratory-confirmed influenza reported to HHS Protect decreased compared to last week and has been trending downward since late April.

The CDC reaffirmed 'An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu.'

'Vaccination can prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.'

And the CDC 'continues to recommend that everyone ages six months and older get a flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues.'

News regarding the Southern Hemisphere flu season will be reported at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Flu.

Note: The CDC report was manually curated for mobile readers.