CDC Closes 2025–26 Flu Season with 198 Child Deaths as Early Activity Runs Highest on the West Coast

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The same report marks the start of the 2026–27 season, and early activity is highest on the West Coast. Families in California, Washington, Oregon and neighboring states are seeing the first signs of a new season while the cost of the last one is still being counted.

The CDC is not forecasting how severe this season will be. “Seasonal influenza activity is increasing in many parts of the country but remains low,” the CDC’s Week 39 FluView report states. The agency added that activity is higher than typical for this time of year but within expected seasonal variation.

Update Note: This article reports new information on U.S. pediatric flu deaths and early 2026–27 flu activity following MedicalDaily’s earlier coverage. Data are through the week ending Oct. 3, 2026, from CDC FluView, published Oct. 9, 2026.

MedicalDaily previously reported that children’s flu deaths had reached 190 as federal flu shot campaigns were halted. Since then, eight more deaths have been added, bringing the total to 198 as of the season’s end on Oct. 3.

The season before was even harder on children. The CDC’s report on the 2024–25 flu season found it had the highest number of pediatric flu deaths of any season since the 2009–10 H1N1 pandemic. Among vaccine-eligible children who died and whose vaccination status was known, 89% had not been fully vaccinated. The latest FluView does not list vaccination status for the 2025–26 deaths.

Pediatric flu deaths must be reported to the CDC, but reports can lag by weeks or months. That is why the 198 figure is the count so far, not a sealed final number.

The CDC groups states into 10 regions. Region 9, which includes California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, had the highest share of positive flu tests, at 9.5%. Region 10, covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, had the highest rate of flu hospital admissions, at 1.4 per 100,000 people.

Local signals match. In the Bay Area, flu turned up in more than 90% of wastewater samples in September, and concentrations rose almost 350% from August, KQED reported, citing WastewaterSCAN. San Francisco also announced its first flu death of the new season on Oct. 1. Last winter, the city had no flu deaths until January.

Nationally, 3.6% of clinical lab tests were positive for flu, and outpatient flu-like illness stayed below baseline in all 10 regions. Nearly all subtyped influenza A viruses (125 of 127) were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.

Hospital data show where the early burden is landing. Adults 65 and older had the highest flu admission rate, 3.3 per 100,000, and children under 5 had a rate of 0.8. Both groups increased from the previous week, while rates in other age groups held steady.

That pattern matters for households that include toddlers and grandparents, or parents caring for both. Outpatient flu visits also rose among children, teens and young adults up to age 24.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, told KQED an early start does not necessarily mean a worse season. “We have well-matched vaccines this year,” he said. All three virus components in this year’s vaccines were updated, including an H3N2 change to protect against the subclade K virus that spread widely last season, according to the CDC’s 2026–27 flu season page.

The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally before the end of October. Protection takes about two weeks to build. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit.

Flu shots are widely available at doctors’ offices and pharmacies. People without insurance can check with their county health department or a community clinic about free or low-cost options.

Flu often starts suddenly with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. Children under 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant people, and anyone with chronic conditions should call a clinician early, because antiviral medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin. Trouble breathing, bluish lips, chest pain, dehydration, confusion, or a child who is hard to wake needs emergency care.

The CDC will continue weekly FluView updates through the new season, and late pediatric death reports may still be added to the 2025–26 total. For now, the most practical step for families is to schedule shots for everyone eligible before the end of October, especially the youngest and oldest members of the household.

How many children died from flu in the 2025–26 season? The CDC has recorded 198 pediatric flu deaths for the season, which ended Oct. 3, 2026. Late reports could still add to that number.

Is the new flu season starting early? Activity is higher than typical for this time of year in many areas, but the CDC says it remains low nationally and within expected seasonal variation.

Where is flu activity highest right now? The West Coast. CDC Region 9 had the highest test positivity, and Region 10 had the highest hospital admission rate.

Who is being hospitalized most? Adults 65 and older have the highest admission rate, and rates for children under 5 are also rising.

When should I get a flu shot? The CDC recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October.

Can I get flu and COVID-19 shots together? Yes. Both vaccines can be given at the same visit.

When should someone with flu symptoms see a doctor? High-risk people should call early to ask about antivirals. Trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion needs emergency care.