Upcoming 2026-27 Flu Season
Flu season occurs every year in the northern hemisphere when influenza circulates (along with other respiratory viruses), beginning in the fall and peaking in the winter months. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older each year—get your flu vaccine before flu begins circulating in your community for the best protection.
- An estimated flu illnesses range between 31 million and 54 million
- An estimated 14 million to 24 million medical visits due to flu
- Between 380,000 and 780,000 hospitalizations, with deaths ranging from 23,000 to 78,000
Top 10 Flu Season Facts
1
In the U.S., flu can start to circulate as early as October, peak between December and February, and extend through May! The best time to get vaccinated is before flu begins circulating in your community.
2
It’s not “just” flu! On average every year in the U.S., flu results in millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths. Aside from COVID-19, flu is the deadliest vaccine-preventable disease in the U.S.
3
Everyone is at risk from flu, but young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable. Read about people who have been personally impacted by flu.
4
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older, with rare exception. Flu vaccines have been updated this season to help protect against three circulating strains of flu.
5
Vaccination is the best defense we have against flu-related illness, hospitalization, and death. Getting vaccinated helps protect YOU, your loved ones, and your community!
6
There is a preferential flu vaccine recommendation to better protect people aged 65 years and older. Older adults should receive a high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant flu vaccine.
7
A flu vaccine can’t make you sick! Check out our FAQs at the bottom of this page.
8
Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. And an important note: Covid vaccines DO NOT protect you against flu!
9
It’s recommended that you get a flu vaccine by the end of October and BEFORE flu starts spreading in your community, although vaccination later in the season can still be beneficial.
10
Flu vaccination can be convenient and free! Vaccines are available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, clinics, local health departments, schools, and grocery stores. Check out to find a clinic near you and if costs are a concern, check out our Paying for Vaccines tool.
What is influenza (flu)?
Visit Vaccinate Your Family’s flu page explore how flu spreads, who is at risk for serious complications, what the symptoms are, emergency warning signs of flu, how to tell if you have flu or something else, how to protect yourself, how to prevent flu, flu vaccination for older adults and people with chronic health conditions, flu vaccination for pregnant women, and treatments for flu.
