CDC: 'Weakest' flu season in three seasons peaked in mid-March

ATLANTA - For the week ended March 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that influenza activity decreased slightly, but remained elevated in the United States. Even so, by all indications the week ended March 12 may have been the peak of the 2015/2016 influenza season. 

 

That means while this season may have started later than is typical, and lasted longer than is typical, the U.s. hasn't experienced a season with as few overall visits for influenza-like illness since the 2011/2012 season. 

 

Puerto Rico and seven states (Alabama, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Virginia) are still experiencing high ILI activity. And New York City and eight states (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah) are still experiencing moderate ILI activity.

 

That may have something to do with the influenza vaccine this year, which matched well to the circulating viruses this year. 

 

Last month, the CDC reported preliminary overall influenza vaccine effectiveness of 59% this season. This finding is comparable to past estimates for seasons when most circulating flu viruses and vaccine viruses have been similar.

 

"This means that getting a flu vaccine this season reduced the risk of having to go to the doctor because of flu by nearly 60%,” stated Joseph Bresee, chief of CDC’s Epidemiology and Prevention Branch. "It’s good news and underscores the importance and the benefit of both annual and ongoing vaccination efforts this season."

 

"Flu activity this season started a bit later and has been lower so far than we've seen during the previous three seasons," Bresee said.